
Class 

Book 

Copyright^ . 



CMWIGWr DEPOSm 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM 



Visions of the Kingdom 

By 

Mrs. L. M. Landrum 



ATLANTA, GA. 

FOOTE a DAVIES CO. 

1912 










Copyrighted, 1912 

Mrs. L. M. Landrum 

Rome, Ga. 



©CU328884 



DEDICATED 

TO ALL 

TRUE FOLLOWERS 

OF OUR 
LORD JESUS CHRIST 



CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER I. 
The Birth of Christ 9 

CHAPTER II. 
Judas Betrays the Christ 15 

CHAPTER III. 
Christ Delivered to be Crucified 18 

CHAPTER IV. 
The Resurrection of Christ 25 

CHAPTER V. 
Christ the Great Physician 31 

CHAPTER VI. 
Elijah Fed by the Ravens 35 

CHAPTER VII. 
The Israelites Repent at Mizpeh 43 

CHAPTER VIII. 
Jesus in Bethany 49 

CHAPTER IX. 
Belshazzar's Feast 52 

CHAPTER X. 
The Queen of Sheba and Solomon ..... 58 

CHAPTER XI. 
Adonijah Seeks the Kingdom 64 

CHAPTER XII. 
Daniel in the Lion's Den 68 



CHAPTER "XIII. 
Christ Raiseth Lazarus to Life 77 

CHAPTER XIV. 

The Temptation of Christ _. . 86 

CHAPTER XV. 
The Lame Man Cured . . v . '. _. . . . _._ . . 92 

CHAPTER XVL 
A Call to Faith and Repentance ...... 98 

CHAPTER XVII. 
The Great Supper ..106 

CHAPTER XVIII. 
By Faith David Saw His Defense 112 

CHAPTER XIX. 
Christ the Door and the Good Shepherd . .117 

CHAPTER XX. 

The Master Washeth His Disciples' Feet . .123 

CHAPTER XXI. 
Christ Purgeth the Temple 128 

CHAPTER XXII. 
Heavenly Treasures 134 

CHAPTER XXIII. 
The Fore-Runner of Christ — John the Bap- 
tist . . . ... . . . . . . 137 

CHAPTER XXIV. 
Saved by Grace 143 

CHAPTER XXV. 
God's Dealings With Abraham 150 



CHAPTER XXVL 
He Exhorteth to - Love, and Putting on of the 
Whole Armor of God 153 

CHAPTER XXVII. 

Paul's View of Spiritual ... Things 157 

CHAPTER XXVIII. 
Bear Ye One Another's Burdens and so Ful- 
fil the Law of Christ 161 

CHAPTER XXIX. 
Paul's Exhortation 166 

CHAPTER XXX. 
The Christian's Rest to be Obtained by 
Faith 175 

CHAPTER XXXI. 
The Perfection of Christ's Body 180 

CHAPTER XXXII. 
Directions Given to Titus 187 

CHAPTER XXXIII. 
David's Cause for Gratitude 190 

CHAPTER XXXIV. 
Esau and Jacob 194 

CHAPTER XXXV. 
David's Confidence in God 202 

CHAPTER XXXVI. 
The Result of Falsehood 206 

CHAPTER XXXVII. 
The Keeping of God's Saints 210 



CHAPTER XXXVIII. 
Christ's Interview With Nicodemus 214 

CHAPTER XXXIX. 
Christ and Zacchaeus . 220 

CHAPTER XL. 
Christ Commendeth the Poor Widow .... 224 

CHAPTER XLI. 
God's Lordship Over the World 228 

CHAPTER XLII. 
Job's Holiness 231 

CHAPTER XLIII. 

The Godly Profess Their Confidence in God . 234 

CHAPTER XLTV. 
Forgiveness 238 

CHAPTER XLV. 
Samuel's Prayer for Israel 243 

CHAPTER XLVI. 

How to Attain Eternal Life . 252 

• CHAPTER XLVII. 
Paul's Prayer for Israel .......... 257 

CHAPTER XLVIII. 
The Rich and the Poor 261 

CHAPTER XLIX. 
The Uncertainty of Life 267 

CHAPTER L. 
Christ Preacheth Repentance 273 



CHAPTER LI. 
Jesus and the Net of Fishes 279 

CHAPTER LII. 
The Ten Virgins 282 

CHAPTER LIII. 
The Keeping of God's Commandments .... 286 

CHAPTER LIV. 
Faith Defined 291 

CHAPTER LV. 
Death Bed Repentance 298 

CHAPTER LVI. 
Meditation 304 

CHAPTER LVII. 
In Memoriam 307 




PREFACE. 

S I sit beside my window this beauti- 
ful Monday morning, I find my 
heart filled with recent and bitter 
sorrow, and my eyes a fountain of tears; like 
old patient Job, I can say, "mine eyes have 
been dimmed by reason of sorrow, and my 
heart wrung by abiding grief. " 

Yet I do not look through this fountain of 
tears without light, and without hope; in the 
thickest darkness of these shadows I find the 
faith and hope of a silver lining, in the sweet 
promises of our blessed Master, who says, "I 
will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." 

The beauties of nature, the green foliage 
of the forests, and the growing crops, all 
conspire to make us love and adore our 
Heavenly Father; but the beauties of nature 
and God's Providence in the protection of 
our bodies, is not the great aim in life. We 
may have all these, in abundance, and yet, our 
souls be starving for the bread of life. The 



6 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

question will still be ringing in our ears, "Is 
not the life more than meat, and the body 
than raiment ?" 

I see from my window the great throng of 
people, no doubt happy people, as they make 
their way to and from the meeting place of 
God's children — dear old Morrison's Camp 
Ground — the place where for about two score 
years the gospel has been preached, sinners 
have been saved and God's people made 
strong in the Lord — dear old Camp Ground — 
the ideal place, where the gushing springs 
have given their cup of water to the thou- 
sands who have rested under the shade of 
the trees, and slaked their thirst from these 
bubbling fountains. 

Then, too, this place brings its sweet, sad 
memories. Some, at this time, will go with 
heavy hearts, because of the vacant chairs and 
the missing loved ones at the tent and un- 
der the arbor — loved ones that will never 
greet us more, to engage in the blessed wor- 
ship of the saints below. No doubt, these dear 
ones are looking down from the beautiful be- 
yond, and bidding the dear ones left behind 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 7 

a God-speed in their glorious work. "These 
are they which came out of great tribulation, 
and have washed their robes, and made them 
white in the blood of the Lamb." 

I remember, now, a dear friend of mine, 
who used to seat herself by the window at her 
tent, being ill and not able to attend the serv- 
ices at the arbor, and when the trumpet would 
sound, she would say, "of a truth, surely this 
is a glimpse, a glorious foretaste of the heaven 
prepared for God's redeemed in the land of 
Beulah. ,, 

Oh, how often from this place, has the life 
line been thrown out to the tempest-tossed; 
the place where the gospel has been preached, 
the songs of Zion have stirred the soul, and 
the ladder of faith has been held for dying 
sinners. 

But I have strayed from my first thought 
in writing this preface. One thing I want to 
say: "I know that my Redeemer liveth; I 
know in whom I trust, and that he is able to 
keep that which I have committed unto him, 
against that day." 

I know that God for Christ's sake, has 



8 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

pardoned my sins, and that He has promised 
me "an inheritance incorruptible, and unde- 
filed, and that fadeth not away." 

There is a work for each of us to do, and 
do you know who was instrumental in the 
Master's hands in pointing the writer to the 
Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the 
world? It was my own dear daughter, Flor- 
ence, who has passed from this strife land 
into the beautiful life land, and the result 
was, we were both buried in baptism together, 
and made to walk in newness of life. 

One thing more I want to record: I can 
say with the Psalmist, "In thee, O Lord, do I 
put my trust;" and again, "I love the Lord, 
because He hath heard my voice and my sup- 
plications." 

If this little book shall, in any way, make 
somebody's path brighter, or any one's burden 
lighter, the praise shall be given to our 
Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ our Re- 
deemer, and I shall be devoutly thankful. 



CHAPTER I. 
The Birth of Christ. 

DOW when Jesus was born in Bethle- 
hem of Judaea in the days of Herod 
the king, behold, there came wise 
men from the east to Jerusalem, to worship 
him." 

These men came to inquire about the infant 
child Jesus. From the day that Jesus was 
born, until this old world shall be destroyed 
by fire, there will be wise men inquiring about 
the blessed Son of God. Inquiring about His 
wisdom and righteousness, and His power to 
save men and women from their sins ; inquir- 
ing of this one Mediator between God and 
man ; the one Being that can reconcile lost sin- 
ners to God, the Father. If men and women 
will be diligent in their inquiries, they will find 
what the Prophet saw in his vision when he 
said. 'Traveling in the greatness of his 
strength; I that speak in righteousness. 
mighty to save." 



io VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

They will find, also, what was said of the 
Christ wherever He went — "Never man spake 
like this man," and again, "Thou art a teacher 
come from God; for no man can do these 
miracles that thou doest, except God be with 
him." 

From the day of Christ's birth in the stable, 
until His death upon the rugged cross, cruel 
hands sought to slay Him and to cast out His 
name as evil. Even when He had to be car- 
ried as a helpless babe, did Herod seek to slay 
Him. 

When these wise men started out on their 
search to find the child, they were eager to 
find Him that they might worship and honor 
Him. But when these men inquired about the 
young child, Herod was troubled, and he also 
inquired of the Chief Priests where Christ 
should be born. After they had gotten their 
information, they continued their search, Her- 
od giving them this message: "When ye 
have found him, bring me word again, that 
I may come and worship him also." But the 
hypocrisy of Herod was very clearly mani- 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. n 

fested, for he had no intention of worship- 
ing the infant child Jesus. 

When these men left Herod, the star which 
they saw in the East, went before them till 
it came and stood over where the young child 
was. We see many beautiful stars in the 
East, West, North and South, and I often 
speak of their beauty and brightness, but this 
Star, the Star of Bethlehem outshines them 
all, and is the Star that lighteth all men that 
cometh into the world. 

After they had found Jesus they did not 
go back to Herod and tell him all they saw 
and felt; God warned them that they should 
return to their homes another way. 

When they were departed, the angel of the 
Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, 
"Arise, and take the young child and his 
mother, and flee into Egypt." The angel did 
not say to stay a week, a month or a year, no 
specified time, but said, "Be thou there until 
I bring thee word; for Herod will seek the 
young child to destroy Him." Does this look 
like Herod wanted to worship the child Jesus ? 
No, he wanted to destroy Him because he was 



12 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

jealous of the coming kingdom of the Christ. 

If we worship God in spirit and in truth, it 
is because we love Him, He is precious in our 
sight, and we don't want to destroy anything 
that is dear to us. 

Joseph obeyed the Lord and went to Egypt. 
So you and I should obey every message God 
brings us; we should tell what He has done 
for us, and what He promises to do for us; 
hesitate not to declare the whole counsel of 
God. 

'Then Herod, when he saw that he was 
mocked of the wise men, was exceeding 
wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the chil- 
dren that were in Bethlehem, and in all the 
coasts thereof, from two years old and under, 
according to the time which he had diligently 
enquired of the wise men." Was not this an 
awful time for the little ones? 

In Bethlehem of Judaea, 

On that happy Christmas day, 

Jesus, the Son of God was born, 
To take our sins and fears away. 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 13 

The star in the east, so brilliant, 
Was a light to the men on their way. 

It led them to where the young child was — 
That gave to us the first Christmas day. 

These wise men were guided, 

To the humble little stall, 
And in the manger lay the babe. 

The Saviour of us all. 

Think of the blessed Son of God, 

An infant pure and white; 
Think of a treacherous tyrant, 

Seeking to take His life. 

But an angel of our Lord, 

On wings of love appeared; 
And softly from his pinions, 

A warning came to those who feared. 

Remove the child to Egypt, 
God's winged messenger cried; 

Be there until I bring thee word 
For Herod seeks His life. 

We have no account as to whether or not 
the way seemed long to those men who were 
searching for the babe, or whether or not they 
had any conveyance or easy way by which to 
reach Bethlehem, but we do have an account 
of their great rejoicing when they found the 



14 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

child. Let me say that there was never a soul 
that has found Jesus in the free pardon of sin, 
but that there has been great rejoicing. When 
Jesus was born into this world there was 
cause for rejoicing; and when a soul is born 
into the kingdom of God, we rejoice with ex- 
ceeding great joy. 

Rejoice, I say rejoice, 

When a hard fought battle's won; 
The battle for life beyond the grave, 
When our labors here are done. 



CHAPTER II. 
Judas Betrays the Christ. 

While Peter and John prepared the feast 

Upon that awful solemn day, 
The priests and scribes sought a plan 

To take Christ's life away. 

Satan entered into Judas, 

He, who was of the twelve; 
And many are the souls to-day 

Satan would land in hell. 

The chief priests and captains, 

Gave him money to betray 
The loving Saviour to them, 

On that awful, trying day. 

When the passover was ready, 
And when the hour was near; 

Think of this glorious supper, 
With Christ to give good cheer. 

Behold His words and loving face, 
As He blessed the bread and wine. 

And for all He had a place, 

A place so sacred and so divine. 



16 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

By that table sat the enemy, 

Ready to take human life, 
With the money in his pocket, 

And his heart beating wild with strife. 

But the Saviour for him had prayed, 

And often does for you. 
In meditation low and sweet, 

He calls to you "be true." 

On the lonely mount of Olives, 

He asked His disciples to pray; 
For well He knew that Judas 

.Would betray Him on that day. 

How dark the hour in the garden, 
When His sweat was like drops of blood — 

But an angel from heaven strengthened Him, 
And calmed the raging flood. 

How sad to see the traitor now, 
See him daring, as he gave the kiss, 

He takes no heed of the Saviour's brow, 
And no care for heaven's bliss. 

The mob that came to do the deed, 
And take the life of the Son of man, 

Had no pity for hearts that bleed, 
As they led the midnight clan. 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 17 

Can you see them mocking Jesus, 

Blindfolded like a child? 
Can you feel the blows they gave Him, 

And hear them tell Him, "Prophesy?" 

They led Him into their council 

And asked, "Art thou the Christ?" 
In gentle tones, so loving, 

He spoke of their unbelief and strife. 




CHAPTER III. 

Christ Delivered to be Crucified. 

ND the whole multitude of them 
arose, and led him unto Pilate, and 
the}' began to accuse him, saying, 
We found this fellow perverting the nation, 
and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, say- 
ing that he himself is Christ a King." 

Then Pilate began to question Him, saying, 
"Art thou the King of the Jews?" But Jesus 
did not answer him, as we sometimes do, 
even when we know of a truth that we are 
on the right side of a question; but simply 
said, "Thou sayest it." I believe Pilate thought 
at that very moment that the man who stood 
before him was not only the king of the Jews, 
but that He was King of kings and Lord of 
lords ; but he did not want to confess it. Con- 
fession is the great barrier that keeps men and 
women out of heaven. We know that Jesus 
Christ is the one being, who has touched this 
earth, that has no equal; yet we do not want 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 19 

to confess Him before men; and He says, 
"Whosoever, therefore, shall confess me be- 
fore men, him will I confess also before my 
Father which is in heaven. But whosoever 
shall deny me before men, him will I also deny 
before my Father which is in heaven/' Noth- 
ing so pleases our blessed Master as for men 
and women to confess Him in their hearts 
and before the world. 

Then, after Pilate looked into the face of 
Him that had been among them, seeking by 
precept and example to lead them to life eter- 
nal, and after he had examined Him three 
times, under the most trying circumstances, he 
said, "I find no fault in him." Jesus Christ 
wrung from this mock trial one of the great- 
est victories of earth, when Pilate made this 
confession; yet it was no more than must be 
wrung from the heart of every man, when the 
end shall come — "no fault in him," must be 
the victory which will be proclaimed in the 
day of judgment. 

It seemed that Pilate's words had no power 
over the people; but with fierce words they 
said, "Let him be crucified/' 



20 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

Do you wonder that we are often perse- 
cuted for doing good unto men, and being 
loyal to the gospel? But when we are perse- 
cuted for righteousness' sake, the blessed 
promise is, we shall inherit the kingdom of 
heaven. 

Notice, also, that Pilate said he had sent 
the Saviour to Herod, and nothing worthy of 
death was done by Him — he proposed to chas- 
tise Him and let Him go. 

But Pilate's promise to chastise Him and 
let Him go did not satisfy the people; and 
they cried out again, "Let him be crucified/' 
I have heard of disobedient children doing 
things they should not, and a chastisement 
from a parent was sufficient, but not so in this 
case; nothing but the blood of Jesus would 
satisfy the clamor of the people at that time. 

Pilate had the power to release Jesus, had 
he been willing to do so, regardless of their 
cries to crucify Him. Pilate said unto them 
the third time, "Why, what evil hath He done ? 
I have found no cause of death in Him." 

But they had fully made up their minds 
that they would not have Christ to reign over 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 21 

them, and we are told in the Word, that the 
voices of them and of the chief priests pre- 
vailed, and He was led away to be crucified. 

I fancy I can see Jesus as they led Him 
away, and bade one Simon to bear His cross ; 
as much as to say, take this cross that will 
soon bear the marks of His guilt, and follow 
after Him. 

We are told that a great company of peo- 
ple, both men and women, followed after 
Him; but they did so of their own accord, 
they loved Jesus, and they bewailed and la- 
mented Him; for when we see those we love 
in the power of the enemy, it is natural for 
us to bow our heads in sorrow, as did this 
company of people. 

But listen to the words of Jesus : "Daugh- 
ters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep 
for yourselves, and for your children/' 

There were also two malefactors, one on 
either side, that were crucified with Him. One 
died rejecting Christ, the other took the last 
chance and was saved through faith in the 



22 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

blood of Christ before it was shed on the 
cross. It was in this moment that He said 
to this dying thief: "To-day shalt thou be 
with me in paradise." Then turning to those 
who spilled His blood, He said, "Father, for- 
give them; for they know not what they do." 

Let us follow Christ's example; and when 
we are persecuted and our names are cast out 
as evil, let us say in meekness, "Father, for- 
give them; for they know not what they do." 
Let us shower the roses and garlands along 
their pathway. How shall we do this? By 
speaking kind words to them, and relieving 
their wants when they are in trouble, and last, 
but not least, when we bow our heads in sol- 
emn prayer we can say, "Father, forgive 
them." 

We are told that they parted His raiment, 
and the soldiers mocked Him and said, "If 
thou be the King of the Jews, save thyself." 

They led Him unto Pilate, 

The enemy accused Him there; 

Said He perverted the nation's power, 
And called himself the Christ. 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 23 

Behold our loving Saviour, 

Standing firm for the right; 
And before this man Pilate. 

He was ready for the fight. 

He knew the Father willed it, 

His life to give for all, 
And in humble submission, 

He stood ready for the call. 

When the blessed Christ was questioned 

By Pilate and King Herod, too. 
The people mocked and scourged Him, 

Yet unto all, He still was true. 

Behold Him wearing the gorgeous robe, 
And Pilate pleading for His release; 

Behold in His side, the deadly probe, 
As He seeks the sinner's only peace. 

Xo fault, cries the double-minded man, 
Xo case have I 'gainst this godly Son. 

Three times He comes unto this evil clan. 
And come to say His work is well done. 

But in thunder tones, their voices 

Rang out upon the evening air, 
Crucify Him, crucify Him now — 

This Son of God, and Son of man so fair. 

With maddening hearts, they led Him away, 
And upon Simon they placed His cross; 

Sad mourners followed this star of day, 
Feeling keenly their heavy loss. 



24 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

The earth and the sun refused their light, 
And darkness covered that holy ground. 

The hour had come, He'd whipped the fight, 
In the blood of this sacred wound. 

Many stood with streaming eyes, 
Amazed at what the court had done; 

But in that hour of maddening cries, 
The Lamb of God His victory won. 



CHAPTER IV. 

The Resurrection of Christ. 

VERY early in the morning, the first 
day of the week, three women came 
unto the sepulchre at the rising of 
the sun, bringing sweet spices to anoint the 
body of Christ. These women were consid- 
ering among themselves as to who would roll 
away the stone from the door of the sepul- 
chre, for it was very great. But when they 
looked, they saw that the stone was already 
rolled away and they were affrighted; but an 
angel said unto them, "be not affrighted; ye 
seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified; 
He is risen; He is not here; behold the place 
where they laid Him." 

This thrilling story fills my whole being 
with sympathy when I read this blessed truth, 
how, from infancy to manhood, our Lord who 
bore our sins in His body and loved us with 
an everlasting love, was chased from place to 
place, by cruel men ; was clothed in purple and 



26 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

wore a crown of thorns, was mocked and in 
derision could pray "Father, forgive them, 
for they know not what they do." 

From infancy to manhood, 

The enemy so full of strife, 
Chased our Lord to Calvary, 

And took His own dear life. 

For what was Jesus chased? 

For what was Jesus scorned? 
Because He loved His people so, 

He wore the crown of thorns. 

He gave His life a ransom, 

He freely died, once for all; 
In the tomb calm sleep He slept, 

And on the third day arose. 

When the women were at the sepulchre, 
Where the blessed Lord had lain, 

They sought to find the One who saved 
All mankind from sin and pain. 

But the stone which made the door, 
That shut the blessed Saviour in, 

Had been rolled away in wondrous power, 
And cleared the way from death and sin. 

His triumph over the darkened grave, 
Gave to the world its needed power; 

He came our ransomed souls to save, 
And brighten our way in darkest hours. 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 27 

The women who came to the sepulchre 
were Mary Magdalene, out of whom Jesus 
had cast seven devils, and Mary the mother 
of James, and Salome. No wonder Mary 
Magdalene came in that trying hour ; her faith 
had been put on trial, but she had the glorious 
light of triumph. She lived to see the blessed 
Son of God, whom she had trusted and be- 
lieved in, rise from the grave, as He had told 
them He would. She beheld the enemy's de- 
feat, the Roman seal broken, the men who 
guarded the grave helpless as babes, and 
the Christ, who seemed helpless, walk forth 
a conqueror. 

Oh, the anxiety these good women had, as 
they made their way to that lonely spot where 
one they loved had lain. No doubt they went 
with bowed heads and tearful eyes, meditat- 
ing over the past and anxious about the fu- 
ture. They knew the shepherd had been 
slain, and the sheep scattered abroad. The 
great problem that confronted these good 
women was, who would roll away the stone 
from the door of the sepulchre — and let's ask 
ourselves the question: 



28 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

Who can roll away the stone, 

From the heart all steeped in sin? 

Jesus can roll away that stone, 
And make us pure within. 

His love and grace is all sufficient, 
His love and pity is so free; 

He suffered and died upon the cross, 
And He died for you and me. 

This same Jesus, that Mary came to 
anoint, will come into our souls and into our 
lives, and apply the healing balm, that makes 
us whiter than snow, if we will only open the 
door of our hearts. He is anxiously waiting 
to roll away the sin of unbelief from our 
hearts, and He will walk by our side through 
adversity as well as prosperity. How com- 
forting the thought to know we have a friend, 
who will walk with us in adversity. When 
everything runs smoothly with us and the 
road to prosperity seems open to us, it is hard 
to fully realize the worth of a true friend; 
but when misfortune frowns upon us, it is 
then we look to others for help. Our blessed 
Saviour has not only promised to help us in 
adversity, but has said that He will come in 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 29 

and abide with us, if we will only believe in 
Him and trust Him for life and salvation. 

When the angel declared the resurrection 
of Christ to the women that had come to the 
sepulchre, he also said: "Go your way, tell 
his disciples and Peter that he goeth before 
you into Galilee; there shall ye see him, as 
he said unto you." 

To whom did Jesus appear just after His 
resurrection? It was to Mary Magdalene, 
and she went and told them she had been 
with Him, as they mourned and wept; but 
they would not believe her. After that He 
appeared in another form, unto two of His 
disciples, as they went on a journey to Em- 
maus. What a wonderful revelation He 
made unto these two disciples, as their eyes 
were holden, so they did not recognize the 
Christ. He made their hearts to burn, while 
He talked to them about the things that had 
just happened in Jerusalem. He also opened 
to them the scriptures and rehearsed with 
them the things the Prophets had said con- 
cerning Himself. 

He then appeared unto the eleven, as they 



30 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

sat at meat, and upbraided them with their 
unbelief and hardness of heart. 

He also gave unto the apostles the great 
commission to go into all the world, and 
preach the gospel to every creature. 

We can not all preach as the apostles were 
commanded to do, but there is a work for 
all to do. 

I sometimes wonder why any soul re- 
deemed by the blood of Christ should hesi- 
tate to send the gospel into all the world. 
Let us open up our hearts, and send the 
blessed light to earth's remotest bounds. 

After Jesus had given His apostles His 
valedictory address, He was received up into 
heaven, to become our Mediator between us 
and God — our Prophet, Priest and King. 



CHAPTER V. 
Christ the Great Physician. 

^TT^HEX Jesus had entered into a ship, 
W J and passed over, and came into His 
VJLx own city, they brought to Him a 
man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed; and 
Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick 
man: "Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be 
forgiven thee." They did not tell Jesus that 
they had faith in Him, but He understood 
their hearts and He saw their actions. So it 
is with us now; He understands all our 
thoughts, and rewards us according to our 
faith in Him. 

As the Christ healed this man of his in- 
firmity, just so is He able and willing to heal 
every sin-sick soul in this world. If we ex- 
ercise a living faith in His power to remit sin, 
and trust Him for all, He will wash us in the 
blood of the Lamb and put a new song in our 
mouths, even praises unto God. 

If our loved ones were sick and a physician 
had to be called, and should cure them of 



32 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

their disease, no matter* what it might be, 
could we find fault in the physician? But 
these scribes, that criticised the Son of God, 
had evil in their hearts; and Jesus knowing 
their thoughts said, "Wherefore think ye evil 
in your hearts ?" Jesus wanted to make 
everything plain to them; He wanted them to 
know and understand, if the man was ever 
healed, it must be by faith, and He said, 
"Whether is easier, to say, thy sins be for- 
given thee; or to say, arise and walk?" The 
Christ wanted them to know that the Son of 
man had power on earth to forgive sins; 
therefore He said to the sick man, "Arise, 
take up thy bed, and go unto thine house." 
This man obeyed the command of Christ, be- 
cause he had been made whole, and could 
now return to his home. 

After this man had been cured of his sick- 
ness, no doubt he had a great desire to help 
some one to the Great Physician, so they, too, 
might be cured ; and I think that all men who 
have had their souls made new in Christ, 
want to bring some sin-sick soul to Jesus, 
that they may be saved from their sins and 
made new creatures in Christ Jesus. 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 33 

Notice in this beautiful lesson, when the 
multitude saw what was done, they glorified 
God, because of such power which had been 
given unto the Son of man — the Great Physi- 
cian of the souls and bodies of men and 
women in this world. 

When I think of the old time power and 
the many wonderful things performed there- 
by, I find myself pleading for that power to 
be sent upon us just now, that we may have 
the baptism of the Holy Spirit, to make the 
preaching more effective, dead churches be 
revived, and a higher standard of consecra- 
tion among individual Christians in all our 
churches and in our homes. 

After Jesus healed the man that was sick, 
and as He sat at meat in the house, many 
publicans and sinners came and sat down 
with Him and His disciples. But this dis- 
pleased the Pharisees and they began to ques- 
tion His disciples, saying, ■'Why eateth your 
Master with publicans and sinners?" 

When Jesus heard the Pharisees, as they 
questioned the disciples, He did not offer any 
apology for having eaten with them, but He 



34 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

said, "They that be whole need not a physi- 
cian, but they that are sick." And He fur- 
ther said, "I am not come to call the right- 
eous, but sinners to repentance." 

So Jesus is to-day following this same call- 
ing — He is the Great Physician of souls, who 
is able and willing to save all that will come 
to God by Him. We sometimes grope in 
darkness, with no ray of light to mark our 
way; but then in the most hopeless hour, we 
hear the sweet whisper of light and love, in 
the full assurance of faith, that the Redeemer 
has power on earth to forgive sin. 

Let me repeat again the words of the Mas- 
ter: "I came not to call the righteous, but 
sinners to repentance." And again He says, 
"Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if 
any man hear my voice, and open the door, 
I will come in to him, and will sup with him, 
and he with me." And if the sinner will 
open the door, Jesus will come in and abide. 
He will not say I will save you to-morrow, or 
at some future time, but will save you now. 

Though the stains of sin are on your soul, 
He bids you come, and be made whole. 



CHAPTER VI. 

Elijah Fed By the Ravens. 

% j^^^ HINK of a man being so consecrated 
f j to God that he was willing to go, 

^^^^ willing to stay, willing to hinder 
the rain and even the dew from heaven ; will- 
ing to hide himself and be fed by the fowls 
of the air. And for what? Was it to please 
some friend, that the ties of many years had 
bound them closely to each other, or was it 
because his father and mother had over-per- 
suaded him, that he might become famous? 
I say nay. It was to do God's will, do as he 
was bidden to do; and what is more, do it 
willingly. 

Elijah was a man of God and we see, by 
many infallible proofs, that he was richly re- 
warded for his goodness. The rain ceased 
falling at his command, and though he was 
hid from the eyes of man, the all-seeing eye of 
God the Father saw him and He did as He 
had promised; for we notice the ravens 



36 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

brought him bread and flesh morning and 
evening, and he drank of the brook Cherith. 

The Lord had directed Elijah to hide him- 
self by this brook — there he could feast upon 
its waters ; and the word of the Lord came to 
Elijah on this wise: After He directed him 
where to hide himself, He said, "I have com- 
manded the ravens to feed thee there." 

Is not our Lord a wonderful and all-power- 
ful Lord? The winds and the waves obey 
Him, even the birds of the air obey Him. 
Can we not obey Him, too? Let us hide 
ourselves, not by the brook Cherith, but hide 
ourselves behind the cross, and know nothing 
but Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 

Do I hear someone say, "How can I hide 
myself behind the cross ?" I answer, study 
dear Old Elijah's travels in life and under- 
stand how many oppositions he had, but they 
did not daunt him; he followed close beside 
the Lord and did whatever He commanded 
him to do. And if we will do His will and 
obey Him in all things, we, like Elijah, will 
see His glory, and be made to drink of the 
fountain of life and salvation. 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 37 

The word of God does not tell us just how 
long Elijah stayed by the brook Cherith, but 
it does tell us after awhile the brook dried 
up because there was no rain in the land. 

Then again, the word of the Lord came 
unto Elijah, and where did He direct him 
to go, and who did He command to feed 
him? He did not tell him to go to some 
large hotel, or to some very wealthy man, 
that he might eat and drink and be merry, 
but He said, "Get thee to Zarephath and 
dwell there; behold, I have commanded a 
widow woman there to sustain thee." And 
Elijah obeyed. 

Sometimes I try to picture in my mind this 
grand man, when he was leaving this little 
brook, w T here the faithful ravens had fed him, 
where he had been hid from the eyes of the 
world, and where each day he basked in the 
sunshine of God's love and mercy. The ef- 
forts of a skilled artist, to paint this picture, 
would be in vain. But when we have given 
up all for the Kingdom of heaven, when we 
take no thought for the morrow, when we feel 
His cleansing power, and have His spirit 



38 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

bearing witness with our spirits, that we are 
His children, it is then that we can under- 
stand the Elijah of old, this grand man of 
God. 

When Elijah reached Zarephath and came 
to the gate of the city, the widow woman, 
that God had commanded to care for him, 
was there gathering sticks; and Elijah called 
to her and asked for a little water in a vessel. 
We have no account of how many miles this 
man had traveled, or how he traveled; but 
I am sure it was a very disagreeable journey. 
There had been no rain and the brooks and 
springs were dried up ; therefore, he was very 
thirsty, and we also learn he was hungry, 
too, for he added, "Bring me, I pray thee, a 
morsel of bread in thine hand." But the 
rains having been cut off, and possibly for 
many other reasons, provisions were scarce 
and the poor woman replied, "As the Lord 
thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an 
handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil 
in a cruse." And said she, "I am gathering 
two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for 
me and my son, that we may eat it, and die." 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 39 

Now comes the glad, good news from the 
lips of Elijah. Though this woman had no 
bread in her house, Elijah said, 'Tear not." 
As much as to say, trust God, take Him at 
His word, for thus saith the Lord God of 
Israel, 'The barrel of meal shall not waste, 
neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the 
day that the Lord sendeth rain upon the 
earth." 

I fancy I can see this dear woman's coun- 
tenance light up and a radiant smile flash 
over her pale face as she listened attentively 
to the words, as they fell from the lips of 
this stranger that was to dwell with this little 
family in their home of poverty. 

Many days did they eat together, and the 
barrel of meal wasted not, nor did the cruse 
of oil fail. Why? Because God had said it 
should not fail. The message was delivered 
through Elijah, God's servant, but it was 
God, alone, that gave the increase. 

It was like feeding so many hungry people 
with but five loaves and two fishes. Though 
the meal and the oil was low, it served this 
little family with plenty, because God was 



40 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

able, as it was reduced, to increase it again. 
He was able to provide flesh and bread for 
the ravens to feed Elijah, and He was also 
able and willing to provide food for this poor 
widow woman to feed him. 

We notice further on, though this little 
family had for many days lived peacefully 
and quietly in their humble home in Zare- 
phath, but after a while sorrow came to this 
home, and do you call to mind what soon 
happened to it? This sorrow brings to my 
mind these words: "Whom the Lord loveth 
He chasteneth." The chastening hand of 
sickness and death had now fallen upon this 
blessed home. The widow's son had become 
violently ill and died; and that mother, like 
many others, was almost frantic with grief. 

When the breath had gone out of this dear 
boy, the mother came to Elijah and asked if 
he had come to call her sin to remembrance, 
and to slay her son. 

Now, from what I can gather from the 
reading of God's word, Elijah was as calm 
and serene as if nothing had happened in this 
little home and he said to the mother, "Give 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 41 

me thy son/' Do you suppose this mother 
gave her dear boy to Elijah willingly, or do 
you think she began to make excuses, as some 
did in the days of old, when they were bidden 
to the feast? And like you and I sometimes 
do, when the Lord calls us, in that sweet and 
gentle tone of voice, to active service in His 
vineyard? No, I don't believe she made any 
excuse whatever, although the scriptures do 
not tell us ; but I believe she willingly allowed 
Elijah to take her boy from her, dear as he 
was to her, and much as she liked to be with 
him and enjoy his loving company, and do 
with him as he thought best to do. 

After Elijah had taken this boy to himself 
and had carried him up in a loft, where he 
abode, and had laid him upon his own bed 
and had cried unto God for help in this awful 
hour, what was the result? The Lord heard 
him and granted his request, and the soul of 
the child came into him again and he received 
him alive from the dead. Is not this a beau- 
tiful picture to look upon? 

When Elijah came down out of the cham- 
ber and delivered this dear bov to the heart- 



42 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

broken mother, and spoke the words "Thy 
son liveth," do you wonder that she said to 
him, "By this I know that thou art a man of 
God, and that the word of the Lord in thy 
mouth is truth." 

I rejoice to-day in the glorious triumph of 
the victory gained for that boy and that 
mother. 

Be followers of Christ, dear children, 
And walk in the path of right. 

The God of hosts will sustain us, 
While walking in the light. 

O'er rugged paths we may be led. 

Yet He will give us light; 
And by and by, like Elijah of old, 

We are sure to win the fight. 



CHAPTER VII. 
The Israelites Repent at Mizpeh. 

XS it not as probable to-day, for us to 
be instrumental in the Master's 
hands, if we are His children, in sav- 
ing souls, in lifting up the fallen and in 
pointing someone to Christ, as it was in the 
days of Samuel, and of Paul and Peter? I 
am sure it is, if we consecrate our- 
selves to the service of our Master. I 
say it is, if we will allow the Christ to lead 
us and guide us, for He has said in 
His word, "If ye have faith as a grain 
of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this 
mountain, remove hence to yonder place, 
and it shall remove/' We are also told that 
nothing shall be impossible unto us, if we 
have faith. We can do nothing acceptable 
unto God, without faith. When we have a 
faith that will lay hold on the promises of 
God, we can do all things. A faith that 
works by love, purines the heart and over- 



44 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

comes the world, will enable God's children 
to win souls to Christ, under all circum- 
stances in life. 

We sometimes hear people say, "O well, I 
suppose such a thing is possible, hardly prob- 
able/' Is it not written in God's word that 
the Israelites, by Samuel's means, solemnly 
repented? And do you believe that Samuel 
could do more than you or I, if we would be 
willing to be led by the spirit of Christ? I 
think not. If we would only look to Jesus 
to help us in all things, in place of trying to 
do God's will in our own strength, we would 
be surprised at the blessings we would receive, 
and at the influence we might exert in this 
world, if we were exercising the right kind 
of faith in God. 

We are assured that the work we do in 
our everyday life is the key that unlocks the 
door to success or failure; and if we are ever 
the means of anyone repenting of their sins, 
it will surely be through our daily walk and 
conversation. To be a Christian on the Sab- 
bath day only, I must say is impossible. We 
may serve Satan all the week, and serve God 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 45 

only on the Sabbath,, and our Christian in- 
fluence will be a failure. We will never be 
the means of anyone repenting, for repent- 
ance comes by faith and prayer — prayer that 
will take no denial ; which brings to mind that 
old gospel song: 

"I would not be denied, 

I would not be denied, 
'Till Jesus came and made me whole, 

I would not be denied." 

We must pray earnestly, leaving of? the 
things of the world, its profits and its pleas- 
ures. 

Jesus is always ready — He is in the attitude 
to hear and answer prayer and to forgive 
sins, at any and all times. But we poor weak 
creatures sometimes have to offer prayer 
after prayer to get our hearts in condition to 
receive a blessing. 

To illustrate : Take the most productive 
farm in all the land, run the furrows, plant 
your crops without preparing the land, and 
what will be the result, as a return from the 
land, though it be ever so fertile? The crops 
will be a failure. Just so with professed 



46 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

Christianity of the present day. If we ex- 
pect our children, and our neighbor's chil- 
dren to repent of their sins, we must ask the 
question: Is my heart right with God? Is 
my soul wearing the garment of righteous- 
ness? 

God never intended us to receive a bless- 
ing without asking for it, for He has said, 
"Ask and ye shall receive;" and if we ask in 
faith, we shall receive. 

When we get our hearts right with God, 
we may expect to see others get right, and 
souls will be saved, for if this world is ever 
reformed, it will be through the love and 
mercy of God and the untiring efforts of His 
believing children. We should listen while 
God says, in thunder tones, "Awake thou that 
sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ 
shall give thee light." 

We notice in every chapter of the Book of 
all books so much victory for the righteous 
and the destruction of the ungodly and we 
know of a truth if we do not repent of our 
sins, we will be banished from the presence 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 4 7 

of the Lord forever, and that without rem- 
edy. 

You remember when God called Samuel 
and revealed to him the destruction of Eli's 
house, He said, "In that day I will perform 
against Eli all things which I have spoken 
concerning his house/' 

And he further said, "When I begin, I will 
also make an end, for I have told him that I 
will judge his house forever for the iniquity 
which he knoweth." Why? Because his 
sons made themselves vile, and he restrained 
them not. 

And has not God, in His own wisdom and 
in His own way, threatened vengeance, or 
promised life everlasting, upon the people of 
to-day, just as He did upon the people of 
old, and will He not judge you and I in that 
day? Will He not perform either for or 
against us in that great day, and has He not 
warned us as He did Eli? 

Yes, He has left for us an example, His 
own word, and has put it into the hearts of 
many consecrated men and women to warn 



48 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

us of our danger, unless we repent and be- 
lieve the gospel. 

We notice the Lord said that the iniquity 
of Eli's house should not be purged with sac- 
rifice nor offering forever; and this makes it 
plain to my mind that God will punish the 
wicked though He bear long with them. 

Some one may say, "I do not believe that 
God would create me and then hurl me into 
a burning hell. He is too kind and loving." 
So He is kind and loving, but He has said in 
His word, "Heaven and earth shall pass away, 
but my words shall not pass away." 

Is not the life and death of Eli a warning 
to us, as Christians, and as fathers and moth- 
ers, to walk in the straight and narrow way, 
and that we lay examples worth our chil- 
dren's notice? 

Stand up, stand up for Jesus, 
Though temptations press us sore; 

He has promised to be with us, 
'Till we reach the Golden Shore. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

Jesus in Bethany. 

jSTT^HEX Jesus was in Bethany, in the 
W j house of Simon the leper, there oc- 
VJLx curred an incident that became a 
great historic fact in the life of Jesus, which 
still is a living symbol of the precious doc- 
trines of the New Testament. 

There came unto Him a woman, having 
an alabaster box of very precious ointment, 
and poured it on His head as he sat at meat. 
For all we know, this ointment was very ex- 
pensive, for the disciples said, 'This ointment 
might have been sold for much, and given to 
the poor." 

I can almost see her astonishment as she 
heard the words that censured her in this act. 
She did not consider the expense of the oint- 
ment; she had but one thought, and that was 
that she might honor and glorify the Son of 
God. She wanted to give Him the best of 
all; she had already given her heart to the 



50 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

Lord and she wanted to show to Him and to 
the world her willingness to give Him the 
best for service. 

When Jesus heard the murmurings of the 
disciples, He said, "Why trouble ye the 
woman? for she hath wrought a good work 
upon me; for ye have the poor always with 
you, but me ye have not always/' Jesus was 
to go away, in a little while, and she per- 
formed this sacred act to anoint Him for 
burial. In this act, this woman published to 
the world her high appreciation of Him as 
the Saviour of the world; her devotion to and 
her belief in a risen Saviour. She has also 
taught in this act the great lesson of the mam- 
mon of unrighteousness — the lesson of the 
deceitfulness of riches. 

What are riches? In a moment, they can 
take wings and fly away; fire can consume 
them; the floods can sweep them away for- 
ever and our money be as the vapor of the 
morning. 

But this woman has taught by this act of 
hers that we should, beyond the value and 
glory of riches, look to that inheritance that 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 51 

is incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth 
not away. 

She has taught the lesson to lay not up 
treasures on earth, but to lay up treasures in 
heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth 
corrupt, and where thieves do not break 
through nor steal. 

She heeded the lesson taught by our Mas- 
ter when He said, "Seek ye first the kingdom 
of God and His righteousness, and all these 
things shall be added unto you." 

The lesson, taught by this woman, is to go 
down in history, like the woman who gave 
her all into the treasury of the Lord — it shall 
be told as a memorial of her faith and fidelity 
to her blessed Lord and Master. 

This woman anointed the body 
Of Jesus, who died on the cross. 

But the disciples talked complainingly 
Of this, her apparent loss. 

The loss of this precious ointment, 
That was poured upon His head, 

Seemed to cause great discontentment, 
'Mongst the disciples that Jesus led. 



© 



CHAPTER IX. 

Belshazzar's Feast. 

fc ELSHAZZAR the king made a great 
feast to a thousand of his lords and 
drank wine before the thousand. 
This king was a very wicked man, and many 
things he did were sacrilegious. He did not 
reverence God. 

Belshazzar had a fine opportunity to guide 
the people aright, if his heart had been right 
with God. 

It seems that he wanted the guests at this 
great feast served in the very best style, for 
when he had tasted the wine, he commanded 
that the golden and silver vessels be brought, 
which his father had taken out of the Temple 
of God in Jerusalem, and they drank and 
made merry and praised the gods of gold, 
and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and 
of stone. Six gods did they praise; but re- 
member the words of the Master, "Thou shalt 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 53 

worship the Lord thy God, and Him only 
shalt thou serve." 

I am so glad that the plan of salvation is 
such that we have only to bow to the one 
Mediator, one Lord, and there is but one 
door to unlock to give admittance into the 
kingdom of heaven. 

While they were praising these gods of gold 
and silver, a man's hand appeared upon the 
wall of the king's palace. This seemed to 
trouble the king very much and he at once 
cried with a loud voice for relief ; but be it 
remembered that he did not look to the wise 
One in this hour of trouble. He did not call 
upon the Good Shepherd w r ho had the power 
to rescue him, but he cried with a loud voice 
for the astrologers and the soothsayers to be 
brought in — those as helpless as himself; and 
he made the promise, if any one could read 
the writing, and show him the interpretation 
thereof, they should be clothed with scarlet, 
have a chain of gold about their neck, and 
should be the third ruler in the kingdom. 

But they were all at a loss to know what 
to do. Many would have been glad to have 



54 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

come into possession of the gold chain and 
of the scarlet robe, to say nothing of being 
a ruler in the kingdom; but their eyes were 
dim and they could not understand the hand- 
writing on the wall. Even the wise men 
came in, but could not read it, nor give any 
satisfactory information to the troubled king. 

Is not this feast very much like the feasts 
of our day? When we gather our friends 
together by cordial invitation, we fail to in- 
vite that loving Shepherd that holds our souls 
in life, and suffereth not our feet to stray. 

We notice the queen came into the banquet 
house and said, "O king, live forever; let not 
thy thoughts trouble thee, nor let thy counte- 
nance be changed." 

And she further said, "There is a man in 
thy kingdom, in whom is the spirit of the holy 
gods; and in the days of thy father light and 
understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom 
of the gods, was found in him; now let Dan- 
iel be called, and he will shew the interpre- 
tation." 

While Daniel was represented as having in 
him the spirit of the gods, which means the 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 55 

worship of idols, it is also true that there 
is no place in Daniel's life where he wor- 
shiped any being but the true and living God. 
No doubt this false idea of his worship was 
given him, erroneously, by the men who first 
saw his skill in interpretation when Nebu- 
chadnezzar called him to interpret his dream. 
Daniel was a true worshiper of the God of 
heaven, without a doubt. 

The king changed Daniel's name to Belte- 
shazzar, but the queen did not call him by 
that name; she said, "Let Daniel be called, 
and he will shew the interpretation." She 
did not say perhaps he can, but she said, "He 
will shew the interpretation." 

We are told that the king promised Daniel 
gifts, if he would read the writing and make 
known to him the interpretation thereof; but 
I believe those promises to Daniel were about 
the same that Satan made to our blessed Lord, 
when he showed him all the kingdoms of the 
world and the glory of them. These prom- 
ises were nothing in the sight of our Lord; 
neither did Daniel consider the gifts any- 
thing, for he said, "Give thy rewards to an- 



5 6 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

other; yet I will read the writing unto the 
king, and make known to him the interpreta- 
tion." 

Belshazzar did not acknowledge Daniel's 
God, yet this did not prevent Daniel from 
giving him light on this great problem that 
confronted him, and I believe he did it gladly. 
Every Christian knows how willingly he or 
she would render service, without money and 
without price, to help a poor lost sinner find 
the Saviour. 

What a monument did Daniel erect to the 
glory of God, when he confessed, by his 
actions, that he cared not for silver or gold, 
nor the gods of this earth. He was like 
Peter when he said, "Silver and gold have I 
none, but such as I have give I thee." 

I would rather be a child of the king than 
to receive all the treasures of earth. Give 
me the love of God in the soul, rather than 
the kingdoms of this world. 

Daniel was thoroughly acquainted with the 
history of the kings; and told how God had 
led them and blessed them, until they turned 
their backs on God and worshiped idols. 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. S7 

Let us notice the result of Belshazzar's 
wickedness. The same night in which the 
decree went forth, that said, 'Thou art 
weighed in the balances, and art found want- 
ing/' he lost his power and lost his life. 

I sometimes think this wicked king heard 
the sentence without a murmur. He knew 
he had trampled the mercies of God under 
his feet, and, therefore, the punishment was 
just and right. 

This wonderful record of transgression 
ought to be a solemn warning to all men who 
are disregarding the God of Daniel. This 
lesson also teaches the true reward that is 
sure to come to all who live godly lives and 
trust in the promises of Jesus Christ. 




CHAPTER X. 

The Queen of Sheba and Solomon. 

'CCORDING to the teachings of 
God's word, King Solomon exceeded 
all men of earth in riches and wis- 
dom, and his fame went out over the whole 
earth. 

The Queen of Sheba had heard great things 
concerning the wisdom of Solomon, but she 
could not get her consent to believe it. 
Still this was perfectly natural; for we utter 
the same kind of words, time and again, about 
things that are true. But by and by she 
decided in her own mind to go and see Solo- 
mon for herself. So she went down in great 
pomp to see if she could put to naught some 
of his boasted wisdom and extensive under- 
standing. She applied question after ques- 
tion to see if she could confuse or put to 
shame his reputed wisdom. But after thor- 
ough trial, she gave up the fight, and said, 
"It was a true report that I heard in mine 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 59 

own land of thy acts and of thy wisdom/' 
and she continued, "The half was not told 
me; thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the 
fame which I heard." 

And speaking from my own personal ex- 
perience, the wisdom of God revealed in the 
personal work of Christ, has never been told. 
Whenever and wherever he has spoken, it 
can be truthfully said, "Never man spake like 
this man." Never such wisdom, never such 
power, and never such love and grace given 
to the world before his coming. And like 
the Queen of Sheba said in another place in 
reference to Solomon, "Happy are thy men, 
happy are these thy servants, which stand 
continually before thee, and that hear thy 
wisdom." So say I, happy are they who 
have washed their robes and made them white 
in the blood of the Lamb. Happy are they 
who have learned from Jesus Christ, as 
Prophet, Priest and King; who have obeyed 
His words and been led by His spirit. Happy 
are they who have realized what Paul meant 
when he said, "I count all things but loss for 
the excellency of the knowledge of Christ 



6o VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

Jesus my Lord." And to comprehend what 
Paul said in another place, when he declares, 
"He is made unto us wisdom, and righteous- 
ness, and sanctification, and redemption/' 

To comprehend Christ's wisdom, is to un- 
derstand His power; power to save the souls 
of men and women lost in sin; power to raise 
the dead and bring them back to life again; 
power to reconcile all men unto God the 
Father, and remit their sins, forevermore, by- 
virtue of His atonement for sin. 

When we think of God's promise to us 
concerning our heavenly home, our house not 
made with hands, eternal in the heavens, our 
souls are made to leap for joy, unutterable. 

I remember my anxiety for my dear son's 
return, some time ago, who had been gone 
from the home fireside for a period of three 
years. By and by a letter came; it read like 
this: "I am sick, will be home as soon as I 
am able to go." This letter was like a spring, 
sending forth bitter and sweet water at the 
same time. "I am sick," was the bitter, but 
"coming home," was the sweet. The home- 
coming is the sweet intelligence that stirs our 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 61 

hearts and makes us cry aloud for joy. Yes, 
they will be here soon, the long expected and 
the often prayed for, is to be here on that 
day. The dear ones are coming home to be 
our guests once again, and that is enough for 
all the inmates of the house. But why this 
stir, this joyous preparation? Because this 
is his or her home — dear sweet home; no 
place like it on earth; sweet and precious 
figure of the mansions above, our heavenly 
home. 

After the. death of King Solomon, his son, 
Rehoboam, reigned in his stead. Sometimes 
we are promoted from one position to an- 
other, and we are not very well fitted for the 
work we are called to do; and I believe 
it was so in this case of Rehoboam. He was 
greatly flattered, and the people said "Thy 
father made our yoke grievous; now there- 
fore make thou the grievous service of thy 
father, and his heavy yoke which he put upon 
us, lighter, and we will serve thee." 

Sometimes Satan whispers in our ears, "111 
make your yoke lighter, if you will serve me." 



62 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

So we listen, and as we listen, our hearts 
are deceived, we are led astray — then the bit- 
ter cup follows. 

Rehoboam yielded to the temptation, dis- 
graced his father's throne, and went to the 
bad, as a result. 

So far as we can see, this man did just as 
thousands are doing to-day. He did not take 
God into his confidence, or regard His will. 
He did not heed the counsel of the aged men, 
but consulted with the young men, and there- 
by was unwisely advised. 

After a while God raised up a man to de- 
liver His message unto Rehoboam, and the 
remnant of the people. This man said to 
Rehoboam, "Thus saith the Lord, ye shall 
not go up, nor fight against your brethren, 
the children of Israel; return every man to 
his house, for this thing is from me." In 
this message the Lord gave His way-bill to 
Israel. So God now gives us our way-bill 
from earth to heaven, and says, return to 
thine own house. 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 63 

Who reigns on earth and in heaven? 

Who guides our feet aright? 
It is Jesus that reigns on earth and in heaven; 

It is He that gives us light. 

He steers our little bark, 

O'er many a stormy wave; 
'Tis He that speaks the word of peace, 

'Tis He our souls can save. 



CHAPTER XI. 
Adonijah Seeks the Kingdom. 

XN the previous chapter, we have stud- 
ied the reign of some of the kings, 
and the results. Now, for a little 
while we will study a different character, 
Adonijah. 

This man was not willing that David's 
wishes be carried out in the selection of a 
king; but he exalted himself, saying, "I will 
be king." 

But he was like the man or woman who 
tries to get into the kingdom of heaven by 
devising his own plans, rather than those of 
our Lord. 

Nathan the prophet said to Bathsheba, the 
mother of Solomon, "Hast thou not heard 
that Adonijah doth reign, and David our Lord 
knoweth it not?" 

He further said, "Come, let me, I pray thee, 
give thee counsel, that thou mayest save 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 65 

thine own life, and the life of thy son Solo- 
mon." 

Now let us consider who is worthy for 
us to counsel with; and not only worthy, but 
one who is willing to lead us in the paths of 
right. I can point you to none other than 
our blessed Lord. Remember His words, 
"Behold, I stand at th$ door, and knock; if 
any man hear my voice, and open the door, 
I will come in to him, and will sup with him 
and he with me." 

Sometimes we hear people say, "I am will- 
ing to forgive my brother of his wrong, if he 
will only come and ask me. I am willing to 
meet him on half-way ground. " 

And if we are at enmity with God, let's 
make the start, and Jesus will meet us on 
half-way ground, and the difficulty will be 
settled between us and God our Father, once 
for all time. Then we will not be looked 
upon as offenders, for we know who is King; 
and we will not have to tell the people who 
reigns in our hearts, or who sits upon the 
throne. Our actions will tell the story, and 



66 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

our conduct will show to the world that we are 
a child of the King. 

Did the voices of the people prevail who 
said, "God save King Adonijah?" No, because 
King David swore unto Bathsheba and said, 
"As the Lord liveth, that hath redeemed my 
soul out of all distress, even as I sware unto 
thee by the Lord God of Israel, saying, as- 
suredly, Solomon thy son shall reign after 
me, and he shall sit upon my throne in my 
stead." 

Therefore Adonijah was cut off; and as 
sure as Adonijah was cut off from the king- 
dom, just so sure will the unbeliever be cut 
off from the kingdom of heaven; for God 
rules the heavens and the earth, and all that 
is therein. He has said, in His word, "ex- 
cept ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." 

Are there not thousands of people stand- 
ing in the byways and hedges, and on the 
highways pleading, God save this man or this 
woman, and great is the rejoicing of the mul- 
titude, as well as the angels in heaven, when 
sinners are saved in the Lord with an ever- 
lasting salvation? 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 67 

When we shall appear before Christ on 
His judgment seat, and we hear the words, 
"Come, ye blessed of my Father," our joy 
will be such as we have never experienced in 
all our lives. But then comes the sad feature 
of the case; when those who have gone from 
bad to worse, unmindful of every opportunity 
to do good in the world, hear the words, 
"Depart, I never knew you," then will fear 
come upon all who obey not the gospel of 
our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Do we stop to think that we will all be as- 
signed to a home some sweet day? To a 
beautiful mansion God has prepared for those 
who love and serve him. 

Assigned to a home, how sweet the thought, 
To a home that Jesus' blood has bought. 



CHAPTER XII. 
Daniel in the Lion's Den. 

XT pleased Darius, the king, to set 
over the kingdom an hundred and 
twenty princes, which should rule 
over the whole kingdom ; and over these three 
presidents, of whom Daniel was first — that 
the princes might give an account unto them, 
and the king should have no damage. 

Then Daniel was preferred above the presi- 
dents and princes, and the king thought to 
set him over the whole realm. 

We notice that as soon as Daniel was set 
over the whole realm, the presidents and 
princes sought to find occasion against him, 
concerning the kingdom; but they could find 
nothing against him; so they consulted to- 
gether and said, "We shall not find any occa- 
sion against this Daniel, except we find it 
against him concerning the law of his God." 
As much as to say; this man has discharged 
every duty assigned to him ; he has been faith- 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 69 

ful, and we find no fault in him, in reference 
to his duties in the kingdom. A fine tribute 
to his loyalty and his ability as a ruler. 

I thank God for such a man as Daniel. He 
was true to the worship of the God of heaven 
and earth, not of silver and gold; he wor- 
shiped the true and only God of the uni- 
verse. Neither could the princes and lords 
shake the faith that Daniel had in his Lord. 

These rulers of the kingdom did not ac- 
knowledge Daniel's God as their God, and all 
the men in authority agreed within them- 
selves to establish a royal statute, and make 
a firm decree, that whoever should ask a peti- 
tion of any God or man, for thirty days, ex- 
cept the king, should be cast into the lion's 
den. The decree was established and King 
Darius signed the writing, that it be not 
changed, according to the law of the Medes 
and Persians, which altereth not. 

But what effect did this decree have on 
Daniel? It had just about as much weight 
on his heart, and did just about as much good 
as the stone which was laid at the sepulchre 
to restrain Jesus from rising from the dead 



70 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

on the morning of the resurrection. The 
threats of the princes, and the desire of the 
king, could not deter him from trusting in 
the God of heaven and earth. 

Daniel knew in whom he put his trust; and 
though these wicked men thrust him into the 
lion's den, they could not harm the soul, or 
keep Daniel from trusting in the true refuge 
of all men. 

After it had been made known to Daniel 
that the decree of the king had gone forth, 
he did not fall down before this mighty ruler 
of men; but he went into his house, and his 
windows being open in his chamber toward 
Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three 
times a day, and prayed to the God in whom 
he believed and whom he served. 

Is not this grand man Daniel a great ex- 
ample for the whole world? He did not fear 
them that could kill the body, but were not 
able to kill the soul. 

We notice these men in authority assembled 
and found Daniel praying to his God, as was 
his custom. Then they went and spoke to 
the king, concerning the decree, saying, "Hast 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 71 

thou not signed a decree, that every man that 
shall ask a petition of any God or man within 
thirty days, save of thee, O king, shall be cast 
into the den of lions?" And the king's 
answer was, "The thing is true, according to 
the law of the Medes and Persians, which 
altereth not" 

Then they unbosomed all to the king, say- 
ing that Daniel regarded him not, nor the de- 
cree that he had signed; and they did not fail 
to make known to the king that Daniel had 
made his petition three times a day. 

I believe the king thought within himself 
that he would force Daniel to fear him, and 
to reverence and bow down to him, and re- 
spect the decree that he had signed. He felt, 
no doubt, that he had power to rule over 
Daniel, and if kind words would not do, he 
would try what virtue there was in the fierce 
lions. 

When the king heard all that was told him, 
concerning Daniel, he was sore displeased 
with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to 
deliver him; and he labored until the going 
down of the sun, for that purpose. 



72 VISIONS OP THE KINGDOM. 

But these men, who had set their hearts on 
the destruction of Daniel, seemed to be 
watching him closely, and they again assem- 
bled unto the king to call his attention to the 
law of the Medes and Persians, which was 
that no decree, nor statute which the king es- 
tablished, may be changed. Still this did not 
have the desired effect on Daniel, and he 
continued to serve the God of heaven, rather 
than to bow down to decrees of earthly kings. 

Then came the time when Daniel's faith 
was to be tried, for the king commanded, and 
they brought Daniel and cast him into the 
lion's den. Do you suppose that this king 
thought Daniel would come out unharmed? 
You remember he said to him: "Thy God 
whom thou servest continually, he will de- 
liver thee." They wanted to make sure that 
there was no possible chance for Daniel to 
escape, for they brought a stone and laid it 
upon the mouth of the den; and the king 
sealed it with his own hand and signet, and 
with the signet of his lords, that the pur- 
pose might not be changed concerning 
Daniel. 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 73 

After the king's orders had been carried 
out, he returned to his palace for rest, for he 
had labored hard to deliver this innocent 
man. 

Christ once suffered the just for the un- 
just, that He might bring us to God — being 
put to death in the flesh, but quickened by 
the spirit. So Daniel was willing to be put 
to death, that he might honor and glorify his 
blessed Lord. He was willing for his ene- 
mies to be in seeming triumph that he might 
be accounted worthy to die rather than serve 
the devil. 

When I think of the trials of Jesus Christ 
and His disciples in all ages of the world, 
His persecutions, His death upon the cross 
for all the world, I bow my head in reverence 
to Him as the one Being that ought to receive 
the homage due Him as King of kings and 
Lord of lords. 

We notice that after King Darius had re- 
turned to his palace, he passed a restless night, 
fasting, and his sleep went from him. Do 
you wonder that he could not sleep? I do 
not; but I wonder why he did not pray as 



74 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

well as fast, after all he had done to Daniel. 

We are told that when the morning dawned, 
the king went in haste to the den of lions and 
he cried with a loud voice and said, "O Dan- 
iel, servant of the living God, is thy God, 
whom thou servest continually, able to de- 
liver thee from the lions ?" 

I don't believe the king fasted on this aw- 
ful night, for fear of Daniel being hurt; but 
I believe he feared and trembled before the 
God of heaven and earth, though he did not 
say so, but his actions were such as to prove 
to us that he almost acknowledged Daniel's 
God, as his God, during this night of fasting. 

When Daniel heard the king calling to him, 
his voice rang out upon the air and he told 
the glad, good news that the angels came and 
stopped the mouths of the lions, and that 
they had not hurt him. These lions, with all 
the strength they possessed, stood powerless 
at God's command, and while Daniel had 
neither bed nor pillow, God pillowed his head 
and he feared no evil. 

Let us listen to the words of the Psalmist, 
when he says, "Though I walk through the 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 75 

valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no 
evil, for thou art with me; thy rod and thy 
staff they comfort me." Daniel knew that 
God was with him and that no harm should 
come to him, even in the lion's den. 

We are told that when the king knew that 
Daniel was unhurt, he commanded that they 
should take him up out of the den. 

It seems that the king was not willing that 
Daniel's accusers should go unpunished, and 
he commanded that these men, their chil- 
dren, and their wives, should be cast into the 
den of lions; but these people were not fol- 
lowers of Daniel's God, for we are told that 
their bones were broken in pieces by the lions, 
that Daniel had been confined with all night 
long. 

Then was peace declared by the king, and 
Daniel's God acknowledged by the king and 
a new decree made, one very different from 
that of the first one. The decree was that 
in every dominion and realm of this king- 
dom, the kingdom of King Darius, men shall 
acknowledge the God of heaven and earth, 



76 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

and that Daniel's God be worshiped su- 
preme. 

I say again, thank God for the life of 
Daniel, and his influence over the generations 
yet unborn. 

We have two characters before us, the 
good and the bad, and we behold the end of 
both. So it has been through all time, and 
they will both reap their reward and be 
judged and punished according to the deeds 
done in the body. 

When the storms of life are over, 
And we lay our burdens down, 

When with Him we safely anchor, 
We shall wear a starry crown. 



CHAPTER XIII. 
Christ Raiseth Lazarus to Life. 

DOW a certain man was sick, named 
Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of 
Mary and her sister Martha." 

Mary surely loved Jesus, for we are told 
she anointed Him with ointment and wiped 
His feet with her hair. 

When Lazarus got sick, we are told they 
sent for Jesus, showing very clearly that they 
believed that Jesus could cure his sickness. 
The message they sent was as follows : "Lord, 
behold, he whom thou lovest is sick." These 
beloved sisters wanted the Great Physician 
of soul and body to come to prescribe for 
their brother, because they believed He could 
restore him to health again. 

They did not send an urgent request that 
He come at once. No doubt they had faith 
to believe, as He knew all things, that He 
would do what was wise and best for the dear 
family and for the glory of God. 



78 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

When the message was delivered to Jesus, 
He said, "This sickness is not unto death/' 
As much as to say, go tell these sisters not to 
be alarmed, Lazarus is not dangerously ill; 
and this sickness is for the glory of God, that 
the Son of God might be glorified thereby. 
From the beginning unto the end of the 
world, Jesus will be doing something to draw 
men and women into the Kingdom of God. 
Sometimes now, as in the days of old, He 
sends into our homes the angel of death and 
claims, for His own, those dearer to us than 
even our own lives, and often the fairest in 
the home, one who smiles with us in pros- 
perity and weeps with us in adversity. But 
it is no mystery to me why Jesus takes unto 
Himself the fairest and the purest; there's 
no other fit for His kingdom. 

When we enter our rose bower, to pluck 
flowers for the room, we get only the best 
and leave the others, very often for further 
development in beauty and loveliness. Just 
so it often happens when Christ takes from 
us our loved ones; He takes those that are 
nearest developed, that beauty may be added 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 79 

to His kingdom. So, frequently Jesus leaves 
us in this world, and gives time and oppor- 
tunity that we may be brighter and better 
when He calls for us. 

When the Lord received the message that 
Lazarus was sick He did not come at once, 
but stayed two days longer. These were two 
days of suspense and sorrow to the two 
dearly beloved disciples at Bethany; but they 
were two days necessary to bring the glory 
of God in the end; for Jesus said, "this sick- 
ness is not unto death, but for the glory of 
God, that the Son of God might be glorified 
thereby/' 

Some may say, if He really loved this dear 
family, why did He not go at once to their 
assistance and relieve them of their sorrows? 
Jesus knew how to go about His Father's 
business, and waited the two days longer 
that the result might end in greater faith and 
happiness to the two sisters, and greater glory 
to the world because of the delay. 

After the two days had expired, Jesus said 
to His disciples, "Let us go into Judaea 
again. " But some of His disciples were fear- 



8o VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

ful for Jesus to go into Judaea, for the Jews 
sought to stone Him; but Jesus knew His 
mission and He feared no evil. Then He 
said unto them, "Our friend Lazarus sleep- 
eth; but I go, that I may awake him out of 
sleep." 

The disciples were dull of understanding; 
they did not know why Jesus would disturb 
Lazarus, if he were sleeping; they did not 
understand that Jesus spoke of the sleep in 
death. Then said Jesus plainly, "Lazarus is 
dead." 

Jesus was glad, for the sake of the people, 
that He was not with Lazarus when he died. 
He knew His power to raise the dead, and 
what was to come to the world, because he 
purposed to give Lazarus back to his sisters 
alive; but He was trying by all this to open 
the understanding of the world of the won- 
derful power of the resurrection from the 
dead. 

When Jesus reached the lonely home of 
Mary and Martha, and found the Jews there, 
that had come to comfort these sisters, He 
was, no doubt, glad to make them an argu- 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 81 

ment they could not gainsay in reference to 
His power to raise the dead. I don't suppose 
Mary and Martha had even thought that 
Jesus meant to bless them by raising Lazarus 
then, until they looked into His blessed face. 
No doubt hope and faith revived in their 
souls and they began to take courage. 

This circumstance brings to my mind the 
beautiful lines of the poet, written some time 
ago on the death of a dear friend, which read 
as follows: 

"Now let our mourning hearts revive, 

And all our tears be dry; 
Why should those eyes be drown'd in grief, 

Which view a Saviour nigh?" 

When Martha heard that Jesus was com- 
ing, she went and met Him, and these were 
the words she spoke: "Lord, if thou hadst 
been here, my brother had not died/' I can 
almost see the tears streaming down her 
cheeks as she looked into the face of Him in 
whom she believed, and to whom she had 
come to unfold the grief of her broken heart. 
Her great faith was expressed when she said, 
"I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt 



82 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

ask of God, God will give it thee." Wonder- 
ful faith, beautifully expressed. And then 
the great heart of the Son of God responded 
to that faith, when He said, "Thy brother 
shall rise again." But still her faith had not 
reached the point where Jesus wanted to 
bring her, before He conferred the blessing. 
Her words showed she was not ready for the 
immediate blessing when she said, "I know 
that he shall rise again in the resurrection at 
the last day." Then Jesus made a stronger 
impression when he said, "I am the resur- 
rection and the life; he that believeth in me, 
though he were dead, yet shall he live. Be- 
lievest thou this ?" This was the climax ; this 
brought Martha where she was ready to re- 
ceive the blessing, and she answered Him and 
said, "Yea, Lord, I believe that thou art the 
Christ, the Son of God." Then was Jesus 
ready to say, "Lazarus, come forth." 

After Martha had made her confession, she 
went to seek her sister and when she had 
found her, she said to her, "The Master is 
come and calleth for thee." The record does 
not tell us anything else that Martha said to 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 83 

Mary, yet we may infer that these dear girls 
embraced each other and shed tears of joy as 
Martha unfolded to her sister the precious 
promise that Jesus had made to her, concern- 
ing their brother. 

We notice a very singular fact, that when 
Mary met the Saviour she used the same 
words and made the same confession as did 
Martha. To my mind this is complete evi- 
dence that the spirit was leading them in their 
interview with the Saviour. 

When Jesus saw Mary weeping, and the 
the Jews, also weeping, He groaned in the 
spirit and said, "Where have ye laid him? ,, 

We see when Jesus commanded the stone to 
be rolled away that Martha's faith was about 
to fail her in this trying hour, and she said, 
"He hath been dead four days," as much as 
to say, by this time decomposition has set in. 
But see how Jesus reassured her and strength- 
ened her, when He said: "Said I not unto 
thee, that, if thou wouldst believe, thou 
shouldst see the glory of God?" 

Surely these were anxious moments to 
these dear sisters, as they listened and lin- 



84 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

gered about the tomb, awaiting the restora- 
tion of their brother to life again. 

'Tis the grace of Jesus, 

That lightens every sorrow, 

Fills the heart with gladness, 
And gives a bright to-morrow. 

Yes, the brighter morrow will surely come, 
for Jesus said with a loud voice, "Lazarus, 
come forth/' No doubt many who stood by 
the tomb thought this a vain and useless 
command; but the word of God tells us that 
Lazarus did come forth, bound hand and foot 
with graveclothes, and Jesus told them to 
loose him and let him go. 

Oh, how we need Jesus to loose us that we 
may have freedom and have life. We need 
to be loosed, because we are dead in tres- 
passes and in sins. We are bound by the 
wicked one to our own destruction in hun- 
dreds of ways, and only Jesus can loose us 
from our bondage. 

I shall not attempt to express an opinion of 
the joy of these sisters, as they looked into 
the face of their dear brother that had been 
raised to life again; no language is adequate 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 85 

to the task; the joy and peace and faith that 
filled their hearts at that time was inexpres- 
sible. 

We are told in the word that many be- 
lieved on Jesus, after they had seen the things 
which He did, but not all, for some of them 
went away and told the enemies of Jesus 
what things had been done by Him. They 
acknowledged that He did many miracles, 
and were they to let Him alone, all men would 
believe on Him and claim Him as the Christ. 

These people were like some people are 
in our day. When a precious boy or girl 
gives his or her heart to God, the finger of 
scorn is pointed at them, and often sorely 
persecuted for their faith in Christ. 

From that day, which I believe was the day 
Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, and 
brightened the lives of Mary and Martha, 
they took counsel to put Jesus to death. 

Let's think of that home, our heavenly home, 
Where sickness and sorrow ne'er come; 
There we'll meet with those gone before, 
And our Saviour ever adore. 



CHAPTER XIV. 

The Temptation of Christ. 

^"W^E notice that Jesus was led into the 
W J wilderness to be tempted of the 
VJL^ devil, and that He was led by the 
spirit. 

Jesus was not only led by the spirit into 
the wilderness, but he was led by the spirit 
in all things. In the first service in the syna- 
gogue, He said that the Spirit of the Lord 
was upon Him to preach the gospel of the 
kingdom. Wherever he went and under all 
circumstances, the spirit of the Lord was 
upon Him, to direct in all things. 

Sometimes the disciples of Jesus would 
warn Him of what appeared to be approach- 
ing danger, but Jesus knew the spirit of 
God was with Him, and that no hand could 
pluck Him out of His Father's hands. 

How oft has Satan led us on 
By the spirit of sin and shame? 

How oft we hunger on our way, 
While sin and Satan are to blame! 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 87 

Can we lay one blame on Jesus, 
And our faults that bring us grief? 

Can we say we trust in Jesus, 
And from burdens get relief? 

If so, we can say like Jesus, 

When the tempter came to Him, 

On the pinnacle of the temple, 
When temptation failed to win. 

If Christ would only worship him, 
Rich gifts he had laid up in store; 

And freely would he give to Him 
If He would worship and adore. 

If Satan would try to tempt the Lord, 

One so perfect and so true, 
Are you surprised, dear sinner friend, 

That he so often comes to you? 

His answer to the tempter came 
In words of wisdom strong, but kind; 

He exercised His lordship sane, 
And showed His power divine. 

Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God, 

For He alone can save; 
For all He shed His precious blood, 

For all His life He gave. 

The angels came to Him in need, 

To our loving Saviour true; 
And if we will discard Satan, 

The Saviour will help us through. 



88 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

We notice that Jesus fasted forty days and 
forty nights before the tempter came to Him. 
This wonderful example was given for a wise 
purpose. I believe that Satan thought that 
Christ was so very hungry, after these forty 
days of fasting, he would be sure to over- 
come Him. 

Satan comes to us in the same way, but 
not with the same results. He comes to us 
when we are weak, and our faith has almost 
failed us. He comes to us through our fleshly 
appetites and he hopes through the avenue 
of some of our passions he will succeed in 
getting us to deny our Lord and Master. We 
allow Satan to come into our lives and fill 
our hearts with sinful thoughts and sow the 
seeds of evil in the most fertile spots of our 
passions, that they may come up in sinful 
deeds and wreck our lives. 

When Satan came to Jesus first, all he 
told Him to do was to make bread out of 
stones. He did this for a double purpose: 
he thought Jesus would consent to do this 
because He was hungry and at the same time 
prove that He was the Son of God, or that 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 89 

He was Divine as well as human. We see 
the wisdom of Jesus in His refusal to do 
his bidding and the fitness of His answer. 
Jesus said, quoting the word of God to Satan, 
"It is written, man shall not live by bread 
alone, but by every word that proceedeth out 
of the mouth of God." 

Then the devil took Jesus up into the Holy 
City and set Him on the pinnacle of the 
temple, and appealed to Him from another 
standpoint. But we see that Christ was wise 
in His answer — He said, "Thou shalt not 
tempt the Lord thy God." Shall not call 
upon the power of God for an unnecessary 
thing. 

When we put Satan behind us and resist 
the temptation he brings us, remembering 
God has said, with every temptation He will 
make a way for our escape, we will be sure to 
defeat him, as our Master did. 

We are taught to rejoice under all circum- 
stances in life, and to count it all joy when 
we fall into divers temptations, knowing the 
Lord will deliver the godly out of temptation 



go VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM, 

and reserve the unjust unto the day of judg- 
ment to be punished. 

But the devil was not yet satisfied, for he 
next took Jesus up into an exceeding high 
mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms 
of the world and the glory thereof. He 
promised to give the Saviour all of these, if 
He would only fall down and worship him. 
Jesus then said, "Get thee hence Satan; for 
it is written, thou shalt worship the Lord thy 
God, and Him only shalt thou serve." 

When the devil had tried in every conceiv- 
able way to tempt Jesus and found it impos- 
sible to do so, he left Him and angels came 
and ministered unto Him. 

The devil is seeking followers and if he 
fails one way, he tries another way. If we 
listen to him, he is sure to ensnare us; but if 
we turn our backs upon him, we will be like 
the Blessed Christ — angels will come and 
minister unto us. 

Sometimes we feel weak in faith and think 
we have exhausted all our strength. It is 
good for us to feel that way; it is then that 
we lay hold on God's strength and some 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. gi 

sweet promise in His word, and are made 
stronger in our faith, hope and service. 

All along in God's word we read of those 
who have accomplished wonderful things in 
His service. Though we may not do as oth- 
ers, but one thing we can do; we can do our 
best; we may sing 

"If we can not speak like angels, 
If we can not preach like Paul, 

We can tell the love of Jesus, 
We can say, He died for all." 



CHAPTER XV. 
The Lame Man Cured. 

^ |i£ read in the word, that Peter and 
\ f John went up into the Temple at 

vAx the hour of prayer, and there was 
a poor lame man sitting at the gate called 
Beautiful, asking alms of them that entered 
into the Temple. 

I sometimes wonder what the lame man's 
thoughts were. Do you believe he thought of 
joining the company of believers, or did he 
want a contribution to help feed his afflicted 
body ? I suppose he looked at it in this way : 
"I am in need, won't you give a dollar or so 
to help a poor cripple?" 

But Peter and John had decided on a dif- 
ferent course than giving their money, for 
we learn from the incident that they had no 
money; but Peter said unto him, "Silver and 
gold have I none; but such as I have give I 
thee. In the name of Jesus Christ of Naza- 
reth rise up and walk." 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 93 

It was now no longer necessary for the 
lame man to be brought there by loving hands, 
nor to be carried away in the same way as he 
was brought. We are told that he not only 
walked away, but that he went away leaping 
and praising God, and entered with Peter and 
John into the Temple. 

This lesson teaches us that the Master had 
a mission to heal the bodies of men, as well 
as a mission to save their souls. It also 
teaches that we may be instrumental in doing 
good to men, wherever we come in contact 
with suffering humanity. 

The people of to-day are so much like they 
were in ancient times, that I can imagine my- 
self in the presence of those noted men. I 
say noted men, and for what were they noted ? 
In my opinioion, they were noted for the 
grandest cause that man or woman ever en- 
gaged in, though the people said they were 
ignorant and unlearned; but the sequel show- 
ed they knew Jesus Christ and Him crucified, 
and that was enough to help the poor man 
in his great affliction. 

We are told that Peter and John were cast 



94 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

into prison for this generous act; and when 
questioned as to what right they had to heal 
this man, or by what power they did it, they 
were loyal to Christ and said, "Ye rulers of 
the people, and elders of Israel, if we this 
day be examined of the good deed done to 
the impotent man, by what means he is made 
whole; be it known unto you all, and to all 
the people of Israel, that by the name of 
Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, 
whom God raised from the dead, even by 
him doth this man stand here before you 
whole." 

And if the sinner is ever made whole, it will 
be through this same crucified and risen Lord ; 
"for there is none other name under heaven 
given among men, whereby we must be 
saved." 

Let us take courage, and like these men of 
old, testify to those we come in contact with 
and tell of a crucified and risen Saviour. He 
is the only name and power whereby we may 
have our souls cleansed and our bodies healed. 

It seems to me, from the reading of God's 
word, that Peter wanted all Israel, as well as 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 95 

those who had gathered there to hear the 
truth for themselves, to know it was not by 
their own power they had made the lame 
man to walk. He wanted it to be known 
that it was in the name of Jesus he had power 
to do these things — and also by faith in His 
name that men are made whole; faith upon 
the part of those who help the needy and 
faith upon the part of those who are to re- 
ceive the blessing. 

After the people saw that Peter and John 
were steadfast, were even bold in their re- 
marks, they took knowledge of them that 
they had been with Jesus, and it put the peo- 
ple to studying. 

When they had gone out of the council, 
the rulers conferred among themselves, say- 
ing, "What shall we do to these men? for 
that indeed a notable miracle hath been done 
by them is manifest to all them that dwell in 
Jerusalem; and we can not deny it." 

After those rulers were convinced, having 
seen the man that was healed standing up- 
right among those that had healed him, and 
knowing of a truth his infirmity was of over 



9 6 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

forty years standing, yet in the face of all 
this they said among themselves, "Let us 
straitly threaten them, that they speak 
henceforth to no man in this name." And 
they called Peter and John and commanded 
them not to speak at all nor teach in the name 
of Jesus. 

But these true followers of Jesus Christ, 
these consecrated Christians, cared not for 
their threats, and they soon told the people 
that were commanding them, in a way they 
could not doubt it, to whom they would 
hearken and whom they would serve, and 
they cried out, "Whether it be right in the 
sight of God to hearken unto you more than 
unto God, judge ye." Then they added, 
"We can not but speak the things which we 
have seen and heard." 

Just so when we have been made new 
creatures in Christ Jesus, we can not but testi- 
fy for Him; and if we are faithful, the w T orld 
will soon cease to deride and will acknowl- 
edge that Christ is the Saviour of the world. 

Did you ever attempt to do a piece of work 
and strive for hours to master it, but for 



VISIONS OF THE KIXGDOM. 97 

some reason, you lay it aside for days and 
even months, and when you resume it, it is 
all to go over again? The reason is, you are 
not in close touch with the work. And when 
we try to live without God in our hearts, when 
we rebel against Him and do not pray, we 
need not expect great blessings from Him. It 
is easier to serve God when we are in touch 
with Him, when we offer up our sincere peti- 
tions every day ; we then can walk side by 
side with Him and be filled with His spirit. 
Let us not sit still and let all the splendid 
opportunities that God has placed in our 
hands to proclaim the glad tidings be lost to 
us and to our God. 

Let us tell to the nations around, 
What a precious Saviour we have found: 
Proclaim the good news, wherever we go, 
To a world lost in sin and woe. 




CHAPTER XVI. 
A Call to Faith and Repentance. 

r g^*EPENTANCE toward God and faith 
in the Lord Jesus Christ is the only 
hope of any man or woman, for a 
place in the kingdom of heaven. God makes 
repentance and faith inseparable. To exercise 
one, and leave off the other, means the loss of 
the soul. To appreciate the importance of re- 
pentance, we must understand the emphasis 
that God has put upon it. 

When John the Baptist came to make ready 
a people for the coming kingdom, he said, 
"Repent and believe the gospel/' Again he 
said, "Bring forth therefore fruits meet for 
repentance." 

When Jesus began His ministry, the first 
thing He said when He came down off of the 
mountain was, "Repent, for the kingdom of 
heaven is at hand." And when He sent out 
the twelve and again the seventy, He said, go 
preach repentance. 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 99 

Remember He has said, "joy shall be in 
heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more 
than over ninety and nine just persons, which 
need no repentance/' 

When Jesus was about to leave the earth 
and become our Mediator, He said, "Thus it 
behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from 
the dead the third day; that repentance and 
remission of sins should be preached in his 
name among all nations, beginning at Jerusa- 
lem." 

So then we see that repentance is the first 
step toward the kingdom, and coupled with it 
is that of faith. Without faith it is impossible 
to please God. 

Then again it is said, "The just shall live 
by faith." Moreover it is said, above all, 
take the shield of faith. 

What the world needs to-day is a faith that 
works by love, purifies the heart and over- 
comes the world. 

Based on God's command to repent and 
have faith in the gospel, is God's invitation 
to seek salvation through Christ. "Whosoever 
will, let him take the water of life freely." 



ioo VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM, 

When we remember that salvation is God's 
free gift to man, and is offered to all men and 
women upon the terms of repentance and 
faith, it is so strange to see them neglect it. 
How we can turn a deaf ear to His invita- 
tions is more than I can understand. 

Listen to some of God's invitations: "Be- 
hold, I stand at the door, and knock; if any 
man hear my voice, and open the door, I will 
come in to him, and will sup with him, and 
he with me." Then again, Christ said, if we 
ask, it shall be given unto us; if we seek, we 
shall find, and if we knock, it shall be opened 
unto us. 

There are hundreds of like invitations of- 
fered us in the glorious gospel of the Son of 
God. The sun that shines so brightly and 
makes beautiful this world, is but a type of 
the Son of righteousness that has risen with 
healings in His wings and glory in His light, 
as He lighteth every man that cometh into 
the world. 

The saddest thought in the whole question 
of our salvation is our proneness to neglect it. 
The last invitation, the last message to our 



J 'IS IONS OF THE KINGDOM. 101 

souls, will come to all, as surely as the sun 
sinks in the west, at the close of each day. 
The last argument will be made some time; 
the last sermon will be preached some where; 
the last wooings of God's spirit will come 
under some kind of circumstances; and God 
will say, "let them alone." 

Do I hear some one say, as did the woman 
of Samaria, "Sir, give me this water, that I 
thirst not, neither come hither to draw." 

How wonderful are the great supernatural 
events of life. But the greatest of all super- 
natural events is that Christ should come into 
saving contact with us; that He should come 
and supply all our needs. 

Let us learn from this incident of the wo- 
man of Samaria, how quickly and how natur- 
ally the Saviour makes known His mission to 
the world. This woman came on an earthly 
mission, but how soon was it turned into a 
heavenly mission. Jesus said to the woman, 
"Give me to drink;" but the woman could 
not understand how a Jew could so ask favors 
at the hands of a Samaritan. 

Then Jesus said to her, "If thou knewest 



102 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

the gift of God, and who it is that saith to 
thee, give me to drink, thou wouldest have 
asked of him, and he would have given thee 
living water." 

So it is to-day, Jesus Christ is offering to 
the world living water by His own blessed 
gospel. 

"The Spirit and the bride say, Come. And 
let him that heareth say, Come. And let him 
that is athirst come. And whosoever will, 
let him take the water of life freely." And 
again, "Whosoever drinketh of the water that 
I shall give him shall never thirst; but the 
water that I shall give him shall be in him a 
well of water springing up into everlasting 
life." This is life eternal, that ye believe on 
the only true God and Jesus Christ whom He 
has sent. 

We should thank God for the sweet prom- 
ises contained in the book of life, to strength- 
en our faith, when persecutions arise and sor- 
row and distress overtake us. We should re- 
joice and be glad, because His goodness and 
mercy doth follow us and His strong arm is 
ever about us. 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 103 

Another of the precious invitations Jesus 
has given us, reads as follows : "Let the 
wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous 
man his thoughts, and let him return unto the 
Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and 
to our God, for he will abundantly pardon." 
Though we have walked in forbidden paths 
and trampled His mercies under our feet, 
yet in the face of all this, He pities us and 
follows us unto the day of redemption. 

God speed the time when every tongue and 
nation may cry out, not for rocks and moun- 
tains to fall on them and hide them from the 
face of Him that sitteth upon the throne, but 
cry out like the young man who had great 
possessions did, when he said, "what shall I 
do to inherit eternal life?" And the Lord 
grant that all may follow the answer of the 
blessed Master, when He says, "Believe on 
the blessed Son of God," and we shall have 
treasures in heaven. 

See how hard the law student sometimes 
applies himself for a proper interpretation of 
the laws of his state and nation. Why does 



104 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

he do this? For profit and honor; that he 
may be useful and wise. 

But the promise made to us, in the study of 
the higher laws of the spiritual realm, is far 
more profitable to us, having the promise of 
the life that now is, and that which is to 
come. 

One of the warnings that God has given us 
in His word is, that the bed of sin and con- 
demnation is "Shorter than that a man can 
stretch himself on it; and the covering nar- 
rower than that he can wrap himself in it." 
Woe unto the rebellious children, that cover 
with a false garment and wrap themselves in 
their own righteousness. But when we cover 
ourselves with the robe of Christ's righteous- 
ness, we have an everlasting covering, and 
our eyes shall behold the King in His glory. 

Oh, glorious day — oh, blessed hour ; my soul 
leaps forward at the thought! In that great 
and notable day, when Christ shall come to 
earth, to gather up His jewels, what a day of 
joy it will be for those who are ready, await- 
ing His coming; and what a sad day it will 
be for those who have neglected this impor- 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 105 

tant matter of making ready for the Master's 
coming. "Now is the accepted time. To-day 
if ye will hear His voice, harden not your 
hearts/' Blessed are they whose iniquities are 
forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Jesus 
stands ready to take our sins away, . so let us 
come and drink of the water of life, without 
money and without price. 

Drink from the beautiful fountain, 
That takes all our sins away; 

Drink of the fountain so full of life, 
That lasts throughout eternal day. 




CHAPTER XVII. 

The Great Supper. 

CERTAIN man made a great sup- 
per, and bade many; and sent his 
servant at supper time to say to them 
that were bidden, Come, for all things are 
now ready." 

The intention of this parable is to give us 
some idea of the gospel of the Kingdom; to 
show the great heart of God in the conception 
of the Kingdom, and to further show some of 
His plans in carrying out the Kingdom. One 
of the striking features of this parable is the 
foolish excuses offered by those who were in- 
vited to come to the feast. It illustrates the 
utter senseless excuses men make now why 
they do not accept the gospel in our time. 

Another feature is the manner in which 
guests are invited. In our modern customs, 
we invite those who stand high socially, or 
are able to return the favor with a similar 
supper. 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 107 

The word of God says, "When thou makest 
a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, 
nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy 
rich neighbours, lest they also bid thee again, 
and a recompence be made thee." 

So when we make a supper, we should call 
the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. 

Just here I would avoid intimating that all 
the woes are to the rich and the blessings to 
the poor, for the poor can be as godless as the 
rich. Yes, all manner of wickedness may 
abound in the hearts of the poor; but God 
knows our hearts. He knows if we invite the 
poor, the maimed, the blind and all those char- 
acters, that we do it out of a good conscience ; 
we have not done this to be seen of men and 
women, nor to have them invite us in return, 
but we have done this in the name and fear 
of God, because He has said, "Thou shalt 
be blessed ; for they can not recompense thee ; 
for thou shalt be recompensed at the resur- 
rection of the just." 

And when one of them that sat at meat 
with Him heard these things, he said unto 
Him, "Blessed is he that shall eat bread in 



108 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

the Kingdom of God/' The rich and poor- 
alike can gain admittance into the heavenly 
kingdom and partake of the bread of life; 
but so often the poor are cast out, and Jesus 
knowing this, had pity on them. 

Let us go back to our subject, the great 
supper: We find, notwithstanding all things 
were ready and invitations had been sent out, 
that the people were not ready and were not 
interested in the feast being spread. Some 
had one excuse and some had another, and 
though they were very foolish ones, they 
made them just the same. 

It seems that this lord was very patient 
and considerate — he waited as long as he well 
could, and then made his invitation broader 
and his demands more urgent; but still they 
did not come. 

The first said, "I have bought a piece of 
ground, and I must needs go and see it: I 
pray thee have me excused." 

Another said, "I have bought five yoke of 
oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee 
have me excused." 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. log 

And still another said, "I have married a 
wife, and therefore I can not come." 

These excuses are the same kind that men 
are making now to keep away from the king- 
dom of heaven. They were unnecessary, vain 
and foolish in the extreme. 

The sen-ant, that invited the people to this 
supper, must have been faithful. He did not 
go away saying he had done his part; that he 
would sit down and take his ease, but he went 
back and pressed his invitation, and showed 
his lord all these things. 

Then his master said, go again, for my house 
must be filled. Go out quickly into the streets 
and lanes of the city, and bring in the maimed, 
the poor, the halt and the blind. 

This servant obeyed all these orders and 
came back and said, "Lord, it is done as thou 
hast commanded, and yet there is room." 

How true this saying of Christ's servants 
of the gospel. Though innumerable multi- 
tudes have passed over the river of death, and 
countless multitudes are singing the songs of 
Moses and the Lamb, yet there is room for 
thousands more; yes, room for all who will 



no VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

come. Room in God's everlasting love, and 
room in His mansion above. 

He said again to his servant, "Go out into 
the highways and hedges, and compel them to 
come in, that my house may be filled." 

If we have tasted of the word of life and 
been made whole, God is saying to us now, 
"Go out and compel them to come." Go with 
the love of God in our hearts and lead them 
to the Master's feet. 

Jesus says, "Whosoever doth not bear His 
cross, and come after me, can not be my dis- 
ciple;" and I say, as did the apostle, "Lord 
increase our faith." 

Notice the disposition of this servant as 
his lord sent him out repeatedly to assemble 
the guests that had been bidden ; how willing- 
ly he obeyed his master's command. 

We should be like him, and go whenever 
and wherever we are called upon to go. Fol- 
low Him in all things and under all condi- 
tions of life. Let us humble ourselves before 
God and He will sustain us. 

This question of humbleness brings to my 
mind the prayer offered up by the publican. 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. in 

You remember two men went up into the tem- 
ple to pray, the one a Pharisee, and the other 
a publican. While both of these men prayed, 
there was a vast difference in the manner in 
which they prayed. The prayer of the Phar- 
isee was the one that pleased himself — the 
prayer of the publican was the one that pleas- 
ed God. 

The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with 
himself, "God, I thank thee, that I am not 
as other men are, or even as this publican.'' 
See him basking in the sunshine of his own 
vain imaginations and self-conceit as he says, 
"I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all 
that I possess." 

But the publican, standing afar off, would 
not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, 
but smote upon his breast and said, "God be 
merciful to me a sinner." This publican 
wanted mercy and he got it, and he went 
down to his house justified rather than the 
other. 

Let's make a feast for Jesus, 

Invite Him as our guest; 
He'll accept the invitation, 

And give us peace and rest. 



CHAPTER XVIII. 
By Faith David Saw His Defense. 

OO you remember what David's de- 
fense was? We have it in his own 
words, from his own lips. The word 
of God tells us, "With the mouth confession 
is made unto salvation;" and David said, 
"My defense is of God, which saveth the up- 
right in heart/' 

Would to God that every man, woman and 
child could say as did the Psalmist, "My de- 
fense is of God." In other words, confess that 
God is true; that He is righteous, and that 
He will defend us if our hearts are right; 
He will never leave us nor forsake us. Is 
not this a sweet thought to those who sojourn 
here below, that there is one in whom we can 
trust and feel safe, under all the storms of 
life? When we retire at night, we can sub- 
mit everything to His care and keeping, and 
feel that all is well. But how are we to at- 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 113 

tain to this high standard of submission, ot- 
to get into the confidence of God? 

David, in his song of praise, tells us we may 
attain unto this by faith. We must trust God 
and believe His word. We must believe that 
God is, and that He is a rewarder of them 
that diligently seek Him. That He is not 
only able and willing to save us from sin, 
but that He will defend us in the sore trials 
of life. 

Do you know a lawyer who is so benevolent 
and so patriotic, who will come to a poor cast- 
out and say to him : "I will defend you, re- 
gardless of money?" That is not human na- 
ture. But God the Father knows all about 
us; He knows our weaknesses, but He has 
promised to defend us, without money and 
without price. 

To illustrate : If we go to an attorney to 
defend us, when in trouble, we tell him all — 
we can not withhold anything. It does not 
matter how familiar he may be with the case, 
we must tell it all. Just so it is with God 
whom we should seek to worship. He knows 
all about us, but there must be an efifort on 



ii4 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

our part, a confession of our guilt and of our 
need of His help. 

By faith David was able to see that God 
was all and in all to him, and that He would 
befriend and defend him in all the rugged 
paths of life. David was only a man, and 
can we expect the God of heaven and earth 
to do more for David than for you and I? 
No, we can not expect that, but we can ex- 
pect the same God that David trusted and be- 
lieved in to be our shield and buckler and our 
hiding place. He is to us the same loving 
Father, who cares for us and helps us in our 
weakness. 

David says if the wicked turn not, that 
God "will whet his sword; he hath bent his 
bow, and made it ready." We can readily un- 
derstand the fate of the wicked, as well as the 
glorious triumph of the righteous; and is it 
possible for us to justify ourselves and crit- 
icise the God of heaven and earth, if we oc- 
cupy a seat on the left hand of our Father, 
where we will hear the words, "Depart from 
me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared 
for the devil and his angels." 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 115 

Think how the Father loved us, and with 
such love as to give his only begotten Son 
to die on the rugged cross for all mankind, 
that through His death and suffering, we 
might have life everlasting. It is not because 
our heavenly Father does not love us, that He 
sometimes chastens us, but because He wants 
to make us better. 

Sometimes I try to compare parental love 
with that of our heavenly Father's love, but 
I find our love so insufficient, that the com- 
parison fails. 

We notice all along in the book of David, 
where he prayed God to deliver him from his 
enemies, and to save him from all that perse- 
cuted him. 

Do you notice the words he uses just pre- 
ceding his prayers, how humbly he comes to 
God? Sometimes he says, "O Lord my God, 
in thee do I put my trust." "Give ear to 
my words, O Lord, consider my meditation, 
hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King 
and my God ; for unto thee will I pray." And 
again, "I will praise thee, O Lord, with my 
whole heart." 



ii6 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

Just as sure as we praise God with our 
whole heart, we may expect to be recom- 
pensed; we may expect a rich blessing, for 
He holds in store rich blessings for all who 
will come to Him by prayer through our Lord 
and Saviour Jesus Christ. 

David praised God for all He did for him, 
and oftentimes called upon Him when he was 
in trouble, when the way was rough, and when 
the way was smooth, he never forgot his de- 
pendence upon the God in whom he put his 
trust. 

Forget not the Lord that saves us, 
That sets our poor souls free; 

He will guide us on in safety, 
We'll rest in the shade of the tree. 

Praise Him who watches o'er us, 

And bids the darkness flee; 
Until we safely anchor, 

And His loving face we see. 



CHAPTER XIX. 

Christ the Door and the Good Shepherd. 

^TT^E learn from the word of God that 
W j there is no other way given whereby 
\*M*S we must be saved, except to believe 
in the Son of God. That Son of God is the 
Shepherd of the sheep — Shepherd of the souls 
of all men. He is also the door into the 
sheepfold. If any man will undertake to go 
to the Father except by Jesus Christ, he is 
counted a thief and a robber; for there is no 
other name under heaven given among men, 
whereby we must be saved. There is but one 
Mediator between God and man, the man 
Christ Jesus. 

What does God's word tell of the man who 
seeks the kingdom except through the door, 
Jesus Christ? These are the words: "He 
that entereth not by the door into the sheep- 
fold, but climbeth up some other way, the 
same is a thief and a robber." 

Jesus gave this parable to the world, when 



n8 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

men had different opinions of Him, and it is 
clear to my mind, that Jesus is the door and 
the Good Shepherd. He has taught in His 
gospel that He is "The way, the truth, and 
the life/' and that no man can come unto the 
Father, but by Him. 

"When he putteth forth his own sheep, he 
goeth before them, and the sheep follow him ; 
for they know his voiced When Jesus calls 
Himself the Good Shepherd, He is making a 
comparison of His relation to the children of 
God, and there is no word in the language that 
has such appropriate meaning of that relation 
like the term "Good Shepherd." The good 
shepherd cared for, watched over, directed, 
and would have given his life, if need be, for 
the sheep. Jesus, as our Good Shepherd, has 
done all that. It is by his watchful care, and 
the chastening rod, that we are kept in the 
straight and narrow way. 

What would be thought of a shepherd that 
would leave the sheep to the mercy of the 
wolves, when they came to destroy the sheep ? 
He would be called an hireling and not a 
shepherd. A true shepherd would stand to 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 119 

his post of duty. Just so our Good Shepherd 
will never leave, nor forsake us in any of the 
trials and battles of life. 

When billows roll beneath us, 
And lightnings flash above us, 

His loving hand will lead us, 
And in the right He'll defend us. 

"I am the door, by me if any man enter in, 
he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, 
and find pasture." See how the Saviour 
speaks of this tender relationship to us. He 
has no conditions in it, and does not modify 
His language; He says, "He shall be saved." 
This Good Shepherd is the bread of life and 
the water of life. He says, "I am come that 
they might have life, and that they might have 
it more abundantly." 

But what route must we take that we may 
find our Father's house and enter into eternal 
life? 

Jesus has given us the way-bill: "He that 
believeth on the Son hath everlasting life; 
and he that believeth not the Son shall not 
see life, but the wrath of God abideth on 
him." 



I3Q VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

When Jesus was here among men, His trav- 
els were not always pleasant and peaceful; 
no, far from that. So let us take courage, 
though our road be rugged and our feet are 
pressed with thorns, let us remember that 
Jesus the Good Shepherd has first trodden the 
road and made it easy. 

The Good Shepherd has said, "Other sheep 
I have, which are not of this fold ; them, also, 
I must bring, and there shall be one fold and 
one shepherd." 

What a glorious thought that there will be 
complete triumph over the bondage and do- 
minion of sin; and that the higher law of 
liberty, that is in the gospel of Christ, will 
make us free from all sin. The time is com- 
ing when every knee shall bow and every 
tongue shall confess Jesus Christ as Lord of 
all, to the glory of the Father. Death will be 
swallowed up in victory and the grave be 
emptied of all the loved ones. 

There comes into my mind a conversation 
between myself and a relative, regarding our 
flight from earth to heaven. Said she, "I feel 
for myself, all is well ; but I fear some of my 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 121 

loved ones and friends are not ready, Were 
it not for that, it would be a journey I would 
like to take/' But added she, "I want to see 
all aboard, and then me step in," and I bowed 
my head and wept. 

Thank God for the Christian's hope, and 
for their consecrated efforts to point those in 
darkness to the marvelous light of the gospel, 
as it is revealed in Jesus Christ. 

Let us endure hardships, if need be, and 
follow where He leads us and at last, we will 
wear the crown. 

When Christ the Good Shepherd assured 
the Jews that He had power to lay down His 
life, and take it again, they said, "He hath a 
devil, and is mad; why hear ye him?" Oth- 
ers said, "Can a devil open the eyes of the 
blind ?" But Jesus assured them that His 
work was sufficient to show to all mankind 
that He was the Christ. 

The people who rejected Jesus Christ were 
near-sighted; they had no broad vision of the 
Kingdom, and were not of the Shepherd's 
fold. They did not know His voice ; they had 
not believed on the Son of God. 



122 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

Christ said, "My sheep hear my voice, and 
I know them, and they follow me." And 
again, "My Father, which gave them me, is 
greater than all; and no man is able to pluck 
them out of my Father's hand." 

But this did not satisfy some of the Jews, 
and they took up stones to stone Him. They 
did not love Jesus, and their hearts were evil. 
Then they sought to take Jesus, but He es- 
caped out of their hands. 

Christ is the door, through which we pass, 
To gain that home of rest, at last; 
He will the door open wide, 
And make secure, our sins to hide. 



CHAPTER XX. 

The Master Washeth His Disciples' Feet. 

^W^HAT does it mean? Who are to do 
W J it, and where are we to do it? 
\mS An intelligent answer to all these 
questions should be given by God's children, 
who are loyal and who are striving to follow 
Him in spirit and in truth. 

One thing is agreed upon by all Christians. 
The Saviour meant to teach us that we should 
be willing to seek a low place in the King- 
dom, if we would go up higher, that we should 
be willing to do any kind of menial service, 
that we might render real comfort to those in 
need. He gave the lesson, to teach us that 
we should be ready to do any and all kind of 
good works for the purpose of winning the 
world to Christ. 

As to the question, who shall do it, and 
when we are to do it, it is best to let the 
scriptures speak themselves. 

"And supper being ended, the devil having 



i2 4 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, 
Simon's son, to betray him; He riseth from 
supper, and laid aside his garments, and took 
a towel, and girded himself, and began to 
wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them 
with the towel wherewith he was girded." 

But when He came to Peter, he expressed 
himself as being unworthy and said, "Thou 
shalt never wash my feet." But listen to the 
words of Jesus, in reply: "If I wash thee 
not, thou hast no part with me." 

Jesus meant, if I do not wash your soul in 
the blood of the Lamb — in my own blood — 
you can not be saved from your sins. So 
these words of Jesus are applicable to us to- 
day. If He does not give to us the benefits 
of His death on the cross, as an atonement 
for us, we will have no part or lot in His 
righteousness, and life eternal. 

When Peter comprehended the Saviour's 
meaning, he said, "Lord, not my feet only, 
but also my hands and my head." He was 
willing for Jesus to have His way; willing to 
be led by Him and be obedient in all things. 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 125 

He feared, lest his part be taken away, and he 
be left to grope in darkness, 

Jesus was willing to wash His disciples' 
feet if they had traveled for miles in the 
dust and heat. Did He not set an example 
for us to follow? Did He not say, after He 
had washed their feet, "Ye call me Master 
and Lord, and ye say well; for so I am. If 
I then, your Lord and Master, have washed 
your feet ; ye also ought to wash one another's 
feet. For I have given you an example, that 
ye should do as I have done to you." 

Then again, He said, "The servant is not 
greater than his lord." And are we, the serv- 
ants of our Lord, greater than our Lord who 
sacrificed His life for all? God forbid. If 
we know God's will and do it not, can we ex- 
pect to grow in grace and in a knowledge of 
the truth? 

Jesus not only wanted to settle a strife 
among the disciples, who should be counted 
the greatest, but He wanted once for all time, 
and to all ages, to show us that we must not 
become exalted by any station or condition in 
life. Wherever need requires our service, we 



126 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM, 

should give it cheerfully and willingly. More- 
over, He taught us that there was reward in 
service; for He said to His disciples on this 
occasion, "If ye know these things, happy are 
ye if ye do them." 

Jesus knew that the enemy was near, even 
at the door ; he sat near Him ; had eaten with 
Him, and felt sure he had deceived Him. He 
was sure he could lean on his own strength, 
and ignore even the Son of God, the Saviour 
of the world. 

Is there one walking in our midst, trying to 
deceive Jesus, and walking in forbidden 
paths? If so, say like one of old, I will arise 
and go to my Father, and be cleansed from 
my sins; I will no longer feed swine and per- 
ish with hunger, when there is so much in 
my Father's house; I will no longer waste 
my substance in wicked living and in rebel- 
lion. 

Then again, Jesus gave us this example of 
foot-washing to demonstrate our love for each 
other. So important was this matter, that He 
called it a new commandment, for He said, 
"A new commandment I give unto you, that 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 127 

ye love one another." And then again, he 
said, "By this shall all men know that ye are 
my disciples, if ye have love one to another." 
Jesus said, "I am the light of the world," 
and if we follow after Him, we shall not walk 
in darkness, but shall have the light of life. 

Let us walk in the light, dear children, 

Like soldiers of the cross. 
Let us follow after righteousness, 

And we will never suffer loss. 



CHAPTER XXL 

Christ Purgeth the Temple. 

^|/^0W important that the house of God 
■ be purged from its corruption, that 
JB *X it may be clean for the Master's use. 
The whip of small cords was necessary to be 
used by our Saviour, that He might be hon- 
ored thereby. 

The Apostle Paul tells us also that we 
should be cleansed from all filthiness, and to 
purge out the old leaven, that we may be a 
new lump. 

We are taught in the word of God, that 
"in a great house there are not only vessels of 
gold and of silver, but also of wood and of 
earth, and some to honor, and some to dis- 
honor. If a man therefore purge himself 
from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, 
sanctified, and meet for the Master's use, and 
prepared unto every good work." 

A heart-cleansing is the great need of the 
home, the church and the nation. A purify- 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 129 

ing of our thoughts and actions is what Christ 
demands, that we may be His true disciples, 
that we may honor and glorify Him in our 
lives. 

Our bodies are the temple of God, as well 
as the church house is the place to render an 
acceptable service to God. They both need 
to be kept clean from all error and filthiness, 
so that God can use them both. 

When Jesus went up to Jerusalem, when 
the Jews' Passover was at hand, and found in 
the temple those that sold oxen, sheep and 
doves, and the changers of money sitting, He 
drove them out with a whip of small cords 
and rebuked them for making His Father's 
house an house of merchandise, instead of a 
place of worship. 

So God says to us now, make not my house 
a place of desecration, a place of material 
profit and worldly gain. Do not destroy its 
sacred altars, its holy worship and hallowed 
influence, by unwarranted, useless and un- 
profitable service. It is a fearful thing to 
disobey and disregard the sacredness of God's 
house. 



130 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

To-day many are in the temple, as true 
soldiers of the cross, preacing a pure gospel — 
preaching Jesus Christ and Him crucified to 
a lost and ruined world; warning men to flee 
from the wrath to come, and to be reconciled 
to God through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

God's voice is still ringing in our ears, 
"Take these things hence." 

His disciples remembered, after Jesus went 
away, that He said, "The zeal of thine house 
hath eaten me up." Sin in any form will de- 
vour us ; will devour our energy and strength ; 
and if we indulge in it long, it will work death 
in our members, and will end in the destruc- 
tion of the soul and the final separation from 
the presence of God and the holy angels. 

God forbid that any one, in this bible land, 
where the servants of God have exhausted 
their strength, trying to win souls to Christ, 
should be cast into outer darkness, where 
their worm dieth not, and the fire is not 
quenched. 

We notice Jesus spoke these words to some 
that questioned Him: "Destroy this temple 
and in three days I will raise it up." After 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 131 

hearing these words, they were amazed and 
said, "Forty and six years was this temple in 
building, and wilt thou rear it up in three 
days?" 

But in answer it might be said, did not 
Jesus make this whole world in six days, and 
rested on the seventh day from all His la- 
bors? Then why should any one doubt the 
power of Jesus to rear the temple in three 
days? But Jesus did not refer to the ma- 
terial temple at Jerusalem, but to the raising 
of His own precious body from the grave. 
Their eyes were dim and they could not see 
afar off; their ears were dull of hearing, and 
they could not understand. But after Jesus 
had been crucified, and risen from the dead, 
then His disciples remembered that He had 
said this unto them, and they believed the 
Scripture, and the word which Jesus had said. 

Just so with you and I, dear reader, after 
we have trampled God's grace and mercy un- 
der our feet and have crucified, afresh, the 
Son of God, in that we have been disobedient 
and turned a deaf ear unto all His pleadings, 
until the Holy Spirit takes its flight for the 



132 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

last time, then will we remember the Scrip- 
ture, "How often would I have gathered thy 
children together, as a hen doth gather her 
brood under her wings, and ye would not." 
He has said in His word, "My spirit shall not 
always strive with man." And again He has 
said, "Ephraim is joined to idols; let him 
alone." The heart is hardened, the neck is 
stiffened for the last time. How sad the 
thought ! 

When Jesus was in Jerusalem at the Pass- 
over, many believed on his name when they 
saw the miracles which He did. But Jesus 
did not commit Himself unto them, because 
He knew what was in man, and needed not 
that any should testify of man. 

So to-day, as well as of old, God knows 
what is in man, woman, boy or girl. If he 
or she is a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ, 
He knows it, for not a hair falls from our 
heads without His notice. 

If we are the disciples of Satan, He knows 
it without our confession or testimony; for 
the darkness can not hide from that allseeing 
eye, that beholds all things, good or bad. God 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 133 

searches the hearts of all men, and at His 
command we must, one day, at some place 
and at some time, answer to our names and 
give an account of all the deeds done in the 
body. 

Let us go to Jesus and be cleansed from 
all sin, and be made new creatures in Christ 
Jesus; be led by the spirit and put sin be- 
hind us, and press onward, forgetting the past 
and looking to the future, trusting in Him 
who is mighty to save to the uttermost all 
who will come unto God by Him. 

Behold, behold the Lamb of God! 

Behold His cleansing power; 
Behold the Saviour on the cross, 

In His sin-atoning power. 




CHAPTER XXII. 

Heavenly Treasures. 

ND the third day there was a mar- 
riage in Cana of Galilee, and the 
mother of Jesus was there." What 
a wonderful occasion was this! The bloom- 
ing flowers, the graceful forms and the beau- 
tiful faces! But there was one, in the midst 
of that scene, that outshined them all. He 
was not only the honored guest, but He was 
"the chiefest among ten thousand, and alto- 
gether lovely." Jesus the Son of Mary was 
there to perform His first miracle; to give to 
the world a demonstration of power that was 
forever to mark His ministerial life on earth. 

He was there also to demonstrate the value 
of hidden treasures. The water turned into 
wine showed a fitness for man's needs — that 
He could supply all our wants. 

Jesus does not only supply all our wants, 
but He is ever present to help in time of need. 
"Behold, I stand at the door and knock," is 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 135 

the attitude of the Son of God toward a world 
lost in sin. He stands with outstretched arms, 
ready to turn the water into wine, ready to 
turn darkness into light, sorrow into gladness 
and bondage into freedom. 

Do you remember the words of the mother 
of Jesus who said, "Whatsoever he saith 
unto you, do it?" And I say to you, whatso- 
ever Jesus saith unto you, do it. If He says 
in that sweet, gentle tone, "Son, give me thine 
heart," do it. If He says, "Sell all that thou 
hast, and give to the poor," do it; and do it 
all for the honor and glory of God, and your 
reward is sure; thou shalt have treasures in 
heaven. 

Dear reader, let us ask ourselves the ques- 
tion : Are we free from moth and rust, from 
the dangers of temptation and the allurements 
of the world? Treasures laid up in heaven 
should be our great aim in life; the only se- 
curity to the lost soul; the only protection 
against the battles of life and the day of as- 
signment in the world to come. 

Jesus, in His glorious invitation says, 
"Come unto me, all ye that labor and are 



136 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

heavy laden, and I will give you rest. For 
my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." 

The soul that has been cleansed from sin, 
that has been made pure and white in the 
blood of the Lamb, is always ready to give 
evidence of having been born again — that our 
lives are hid with God in Christ. He will lead 
us beside the still waters of His grace; and if 
we thirst, we may drink of that everflowing 
fountain of God's eternal love. 

Let us remember the words of the Master, 
"Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, 
where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and 
where thieves do not break through nor steal." 

Let us lay up treasures in heaven 
And be swift on errands of love, 

That we a starry crown may wear, 
In that mansion up there, above. 



CHAPTER XXIII. 

The Fore-Runner of Christ, John the 
Baptist. 

^^^^HERE was a man sent from God, 
f j whose name was John/' 

^^^X Let us start with the thought, that 
this man was sent from God, not from kings 
nor rulers of earth; not by chance nor by 
accident. He was sent for a purpose ; He had 
a mission to perform and a message to bring. 
That mission was to bear testimony of a great 
fact — to be the honored message of the world's 
greatest event. 

God did not send him as a detective, nor as 
a spy. God sent him to bear witness of that 
light that was to be the light of the world; 
a messenger that was to honor God in the 
message. 

John came to tell the world of the advent 
of the Son of God, the Saviour of the world. 
His mission was to preach the doctrine of re- 
pentance, and to make ready the coming King- 



138 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

dom. Besides, he was to perform a most sol- 
emn and sacred duty, to baptize the Saviour 
of the world, that he called the "Lamb of 
God, which taketh away the sin of the world." 

John was to hold the banner of the King 
Immanuel — to point men and women to that 
Being who was to be a "hiding place from the 
wind, and a covert from the tempest, as riv- 
ers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of 
a great rock in a weary land." He came to 
tell of that Being who was to be the refuge 
of all men — the refuge under which all men 
may be safe, when the water shall uncover the 
hiding place of the disobedient and the lost 
of earth. 

John said of Jesus, "of his fulness have 
all we received, and grace for grace." He 
said, also, that "the law was given by Moses, 
but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." 

As John went preaching the coming King- 
dom, the people were amazed and wondered 
who this man John was, and they sent Priests 
and Levites from Jerusalem to ask John who 
he was, and he made an honest confession and 
said, "I am not the Christ." John, no doubt, 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 139 

thought if they knew he was not the Christ, 
they would be satisfied ; but they were eager to 
know who he was. 

Then they asked him, "Art thou Elias?" 
And he said, "I am not." Again questioning 
him, they asked, "Art thou that prophet?" 
And he answered, "No." 

Then said they unto him, "who art thou? 
that we may give an answer to them that sent 
us. What sayest thou of thyself?" 

John did not say he was a great man, that 
nations must bow to and worship ; but he said : 
"I am the voice of one crying in the wilder- 
ness, make straight the way of the Lord, as 
said the prophet Esaias." 

And I say unto you, as did the voice in the 
wilderness, make straight the way of the Lord 
now, for straight and narrow is the way that 
leadeth unto life, and few there be that find 
it. 

Listen to the calls to-day, as they echo from 
mouth to mouth, from hill to hill, from moun- 
tain to mountain, on the roadside, in the wild- 
erness, in our homes and wherever we are, 
for we must all appear before God, to an- 



140 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

swer for the deeds done in the body. And as 
one of old, make an honest confession, for 
an honest confession is good for the soul; 
and we should heed the voice of the Lord, 
whether in the wilderness or on the plains. 

They said to John, "Why baptizest thou 
then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, 
neither that prophet." 

John answered and said, "I baptize with 
water; but there standeth one among you, 
whom ye know not." John was able, and was 
sent to baptize with water, but Christ alone 
was able to baptize with the Holy Ghost. 

As John and two of his disciples were look- 
ing on Jesus, he said to them, "Behold the 
Lamb of God," and as they heard him speak, 
they followed Jesus. Jesus said unto them, 
"What seek ye ?" "They said unto him, Rab- 
bi (which is to say, being interpreted, Mas- 
ter) where dwellest thou?" and the Master 
told them to come and see. 

Do we, in the stillness of the night, or in 
the busy hours of the day, turn our faces 
heavenward and ask the question, Master, 
where dwellest thou? That we may hear the 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 141 

kind words fall from the lips of a crucified 
and risen Lord, "Come and see." That we 
may say, as Andrew did to Simon, "We have 
found the Messias," which is the Christ. An- 
drew not only found the Christ, but he 
brought Simon to the Saviour of the world. 
Can we not bring some one, some lost soul 
to Christ? Can we not lead some one in the 
straight and narrow way, that leads to life 
eternal ? 

Jesus said to Philip, "Follow me." It 
seems, from the reading of God's word, that 
Philip had a friend on his heart, and he found 
Nathanael and said to him, "We have found 
Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." Jesus 
saw Nathanael coming and He said, "Behold 
an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile." 
Then Nathanael said, "Whence knowest thou 
me?" Jesus answered him saying, "Before 
that Philip called thee, when thou wast under 
the fig tree, I saw thee." 

Oh, how blessed the thought, to know 
though we be under the fig tree, or in some 
secret place, the allseeing eye of our blessed 
Master is upon us; His loving care is around 



142 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

us, and His protecting hand is shielding us 
from all harm and danger. Tis sweet to 
know that some dear friend in heaven and 
earth is ready to say to us, "Come and see." 
Come under the shadow of His wing and rest 
our tired souls. 

Who knows but that Nathanael's thoughts 
were about the Master, when he was under 
the fig tree? Perhaps he was praying for 
light, for he said, "Thou art the Son of God." 

Believe and be saved, and when you have 
believed, call your friends and carry them to 
Jesus. 

What means these great revivals and oft 
repeated prayers ? The answer is, "Come and 
see." 

The house of God stands ready- 
To welcome you and me; 

The doors stand ajar for all, 
Will you not come and see 

Our Heavenly Father will pilot us, 

Whoever we may be; 
And tenderly He is calling, 

Sinner, "Come and see." 



CHAPTER XXIV. 

Saved by Grace. 

^^^^HE meaning of this is that salvation 
M * j comes to us by grace, as an unmer- 
^^^X ited favor from God — that God, 
through grace, meets all our wants, as we are 
held under the bondage of sin and death. 

Paul puts this fact in a very striking man- 
ner, when he says, "Where sin abounded, 
grace did much more abound." 

Then again Paul declares, "By grace are ye 
saved through faith, and that not of your- 
selves; it is the gift of God. Not of works, 
lest any man should boast." 

The apostle John made this fact strong 
when he said, "For the law was given by 
Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus 
Christ." This passage shows very clearly the 
superiority of grace over the law. The law, 
as our school master, can only bring us to 
Christ, while Christ, by His grace brings us to 
God. The grace of God takes us up, where 



144 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

the law leaves us — where the law can go no 
further. 

Christ is the end of the law for righteous- 
ness to every one that believeth. 

This fact of grace being superior to the law 
is made beautiful by Paul, in another place, 
where he says : "For what the law could not 
do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God 
sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful 
flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh; 
that the righteousness of the law might be 
fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, 
but after the Spirit." 

These, and many other passages found in 
God's word, make it plain that grace is the 
supreme factor in man's salvation. 

The word says, "And you hath he quick- 
ened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 
wherein in time past ye walked according to 
the course of this world." 

And to-day, as of old, there are thousands 
walking according to the course of this world, 
fulfilling the desires of the flesh and the lust 
thereof; and are defiling their bodies and 
blighting their lives by yielding to temptation, 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 145 

which in the end, will destroy both soul and 
body in hell. These deluded ones are not 
stopping to count the cost; not thinking for 
a moment that their lives are not in their own 
hands and that their souls are immortal and 
will never die, forgetting that when this 
earthly tabernacle is dissolved, the spirit must 
go to God who gave it, to be consigned to a 
place of happiness or a place of misery. 

How sad the thought that we poor mortals, 
without God and without hope in this world, 
are unable to prepare a place of refuge for 
our souls, when those that know us now, 
shall know us no more. But God who is 
rich in grace and mercy has prepared a place 
for us, even when we were dead in trespasses 
and in sins, and hath quickened us together 
with Christ. 

When I read God's word and realize that 
my salvation is not in the hands of my friends 
or foes, but is in the hands of an all-wise and 
loving Saviour who knows my weakness; one 
slow to anger and plenteous in mercy, I bow 
my head in reverence to Him who sits on the 
throne, and with bowed head and clasped 



146 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

hands, I thank God for the gift of His dear 
Son, who gave His life a ransom for all. 

This grace is a free grace, without money 
and without price. 

You know it is the custom of earthly kings, 
when they prepare a feast, to invite only the 
special guests. But not so with our King, for 
He says, "Call the poor, the maimed, the halt 
and the blind." He would have us go into 
the highways and hedges and compel them to 
come in, that His house might be filled. Sal- 
vation is free for all. The king upon his 
throne, and the peasant in his hut, are invited 
to this feast, and are called on equal terms 
and conditions. Heed his invitation: "Come 
unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy 
laden," for He has promised to give us rest. 

When we have borne the burden and heat 
of the day, how sweet it is to know, that while 
we rest our tired bodies, an allseeing eye is 
watching over us; even in the stillness of the 
night, He shields us from harm and danger. 
He has prepared a mansion for us, where we 
may dwell in security and bliss forevermore — 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 147 

where tears are never shed, troubles never 
come and farewells are never spoken. 

Dear friends, do you not want a seat in this 
glorious mansion, this home of the soul, where 
families are reunited, and where we shall 
know as we are known? Where hearts, once 
severed in sadness and in tears, are reunited 
in joy and praise to H[im who sits upon the 
throne, and who has redeemed us from sin 
and Satan. I want to be there, and I expect 
to be there, by the love and grace of God. It 
makes no difference who you are or what po- 
sition you hold in this life, you have an in- 
vitation to this heavenly mansion, a seat in 
the Kingdom of God, a place of refuge, 
the home of the redeemed. This mansion has 
been bought with a price, purchased with the 
blood of Jesus Christ, and is free for all if 
we will but believe on Him and trust Him for 
His grace. "To-day, if ye will hear His voice, 
harden not your hearts." 

We sometimes feel we are far away from 
this home of the soul, but let us come boldly 
to the throne of grace, that we may obtain 
mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. 



148 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

The Spirit of God must bear witness with 
our spirits, or we can never see God. The 
spirit of the wicked one can never give us a 
passport to God. And why? Because the 
spirit of the wicked one is evil, and we know 
that no evil can inherit the Kingdom of God. 
We must repent of our sins and become as 
little children, before we can enter the King- 
dom. 

Let us notice what is meant by the term 
""repent." It is not living a moral life, pay- 
ing our just debts, staying at home and at- 
tending to our own business, nor going to 
the house of God once or twice a year; this 
is not repentance. I admit this is good, as far 
as it goes, but it does not go far enough. 
These things can not save the soul; we must 
be purged from our sins and be made new 
creatures in Christ Jesus; we must leave off 
our sins, believe in and trust a personal Sa- 
viour, before we can be saved. 

By the death of Christ on the cross we 
have access by one spirit unto the Father, and 
if we believe in His Son, we are no longer 
strangers and foreigners, but are of the house- 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 149 

hold of faith; heirs of God and joint heirs 
with Christ. 

Let no man build on any other foundation 
than Jesus Christ, lest the building be de- 
stroyed in the day of trial, because the build- 
ing must be tried by fire. 

Our habitation here is short, 
Our pilgrimage often sad; 

But by the grace of God, alone, 
Our spirits are made glad. 



CHAPTER XXV. 

God's Dealings With Abraham. 

^TTiHEN Abraham was ninety and nine 
\ § years old, the Lord appeared to him 

vJLx and said, "I am the Almighty God, 
walk before me and be thou perfect/' 

When God appeared unto Abraham (or 
Abram, as he was then called) He talk- 
ed with him and made a covenant with him. 
The result of that covenant has been a great 
factor in the world's history. Because of it, 
Abraham has been called the father of the 
faithful. 

We notice when Abram was old, God 
changed his name to Abraham, and from that 
day he was a wonderful figure in Biblical 
history. His loyalty to God, his fidelity to his 
family and his love for his fellow man, has 
shined upon the pages of history for the bet- 
terment of the world and the glory of God. 

His pleadings with God before the gates 
of Sodom, his wisdom in handling his own 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 151 

kinsfolk, his benevolence to the poor and his 
unparalleled faith in God as he went to offer 
Isaac upon the altar of sacrifice, are some of 
the stars that will never grow dim, and some 
of the landmarks of the gospel that will never 
be effaced. 

It was a small number that God demanded 
of Abraham, that He might save the city; 
but may it not be true that the reason He 
does not pour out His blessings on many 
modern cities is because God can't find the 
number of righteous persons He has de- 
manded shall be found. The tone of some 
of our revivals would be changed if there 
were more consecrated men and women in 
our churches. Yes, we would see souls saved, 
the churches would be built up and God's 
name would be glorified in the earth. 

Do you remember what the Lord said to 
Abraham, just before He went down to inves- 
tigate the wickedness of that city? He said, 
"Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is 
great, and because their sin is very grievous, 
I will go down now, and see whether they 



152 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

have done altogether according to the cry of 
it, which is come unto me." 

God goes when there is need, and He does 
what He purposes to do with His creatures. 
So let us turn our backs on sin, as the Lord 
has commanded; watch and pray, lest we en- 
ter into temptation; lest we enter the wicked 
city and are bound by its cords. 



CHAPTER XXVI. 

He Exhorteth to Love, and Putting on of 
the Whole Armor of God. 

XT is declared in the scriptures, time 
and again, that "God is love." And 
both Christ and the apostles have 
taught that love is the fulfillment of all law. 
Christ said it is a new commandment — one 
more added to the ten already given. 

Love is the best vision we get of the King- 
dom. It comprehends all that is meant in our 
belief of the Fatherhood of God and the 
brotherhood of man. It eclipses all other 
manifestations of good works that are given 
to the world, as we walk beside our fellow 
man in this world, and ends in the highest re- 
ward ever given. 

So we can see a glorious purpose in Christ 
exhorting to love. Love in its conception, 
love in its manifestations, and love in its final 
rewards — love that endureth all things. 

Jesus said of this love, "By this shall all 



154 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have 
love one for another." We are taught to love 
not in word, but in deed and in truth. Give 
the world the evidence by following all the 
commandments of our Lord and Master, for 
He says, "If ye love me, keep my command- 
ments/' and if we love Him, we will keep His 
commandments. 

We are told to put on the whole armor of 
God. The apostle says, "Awake thou that 
sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ 
shall give thee light." 

Even though we be dead in sin, His grace 
is sufficient for us. Let us lift up our heads 
and look away from the cross to the glittering 
crown and be not faithless, but believing chil- 
dren, redeeming the time, because the days 
are evil. Let us understand what the will of 
God is concerning us, and be filled with the 
spirit, making melody in our hearts. 

Stand up for Christ, putting on the whole 
armor of God, having our loins girt about 
with truth, and having on the breastplate of 
righteousness and our feet shod with the pre- 
paration of the gospel of peace; taking the 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 155 

helmet of salvation, and the sword of the 
Spirit, which is the word of God. We should 
pray always, and above all, take "the shield 
of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench 
all the fiery darts of the wicked. ,, 

When Satan sees the Christian put on all 
these elements of the Christian armor, he 
bows his head in defeat and leaves the child 
of God, as he did the blessed Saviour on the 
mount. 

When the Christian adds to his faith virtue, 
knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, 
brotherly kindness and charity, he is ready to 
defeat the devil at any point, because he is 
qualified with God's prescribed armor; be- 
cause he has given diligence to make his call- 
ing and election sure. 

Put on the whole armor of God, 

Be on the alert for the right, 
'Till Jesus shall call us up higher, 

To that land where there is no night. 




CHAPTER XXVII. 

Paul's View of Spiritual Things. 

O then neither is he that planteth 
anything, neither he that watereth, 
but God that giveth the increase." 

The Apostle in this passage is trying to im- 
press on our minds the great source of all 
things — the fountain from whence comes all 
light, and wisdom, and power, the store house 
from which comes the bread of life and the 
meat of salvation. That while Paul may 
plant, and Apollos water, it is God, over all, 
that gives the increase and garners the har- 
vest. 

We have our churches, the ministry, and 
our plans of work perfected and operated, 
yet over it all, and through all, it is God's in- 
visible power in directing and consummating 
that brings the spiritual harvest. 

"Know ye not that ye are the temple of 
God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth 
in you?" 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 157 

We are told that "if any man defile the tem- 
ple of God, him shall God destroy." Why? 
Because the Temple of God is holy, which 
temple ye are. We are Christ's, and Christ 
is God's. 

Perhaps you may say your circumstances 
are such that you can not live a Christian life. 
But did you ever study the circumstances of 
Paul's life? It is a beautiful lesson for us. 
You remember he was imprisoned for preach- 
ing the gospel; he was put in a hired house 
in Rome, and dwelt there for two years, and 
received all that came to him. I don't sup- 
pose that he was allowed, during this whole 
time, to go beyond the threshold of the door. 
He was under a guard, that was detailed to 
watch him. Perhaps the poorest person in our 
country lives in a better place than the Apos- 
tle Paul did during those two years in Rome. 
In such circumstances of discomfort, he sends 
out this jubilant message, "I can do all things 
through Christ which strengthened me." 

We have so many things to be thankful for. 
If we have bread and water for our food, 
God gave it to us. If we have raiment for 



158 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

our bodies, God gave us that; and if we are 
saved, God gave the saving power and grace 
that lifts our souls to higher realms, and blots 
out of our lives envy and strife and makes us 
not faithless, but believing children. We are 
not following an uncertain Master, but we will 
receive our reward, according to our labor; 
for if we are children of the King, we are 
laborers together with God. 

Was it Paul's circumstances in life that 
made him make this bold and open confession, 
or was it the Spirit of God in his soul? He 
had consecrated his life to the service of God, 
and I believe he often said to himself, "If it 
is God's will that I suffer these things, it is 
my pleasure to bear it." 

Paul's life was a life of contest. Every real 
life is one that comes out of difficulties. 

Paul said, "Forgetting those things which 
are behind, and reaching forth unto those 
things which are before, I press toward the 
mark for the prize of the high calling of God 
in Christ Jesus." 

His life was one of purpose; he meant to 
do God's will, and Christ strengthened him. 



I'ISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 159 

We notice while Paul was standing before 
his accusers, pleading his own cause, the high 
priest commanded them that stood by to smite 
him on the mouth, and Paul's impatience got 
the better of him and he cried out : "God shall 
smite thee, thou whited wall; for sittest thou 
to judge me after the law, and commandest 
me to be smitten contrary to the law?" 

Yes, God will smite them that fail to do 
His will. "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, 
saith the Lord." Let us not seek to avenge 
our neighbor or our enemy, for there is one 
higher than we are, and His vengeance will 
be right. 

Let us not grieve over any wrong our fel- 
lowman may do us, for everything will be 
made right. The time may seem long, but let 
us be patient, be trustful and faithful. We 
are pilgrims here and have no continuing 
city, but we seek one to come. We labor, 
working with our hands, being reviled we 
should bless, being persecuted we suffer it. 
Let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, 
neither with fyz leaven of malice and wicked- 



i6o VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

ness; but with the unleavened bread of sin- 
cerity and truth. 

We are not our own, therefore let us glo- 
rify God in our members, and in our spirits, 
which are God's. 

Let us sow the seed in the morning, 
The increase will surely come; 

For of this we have the assurance, 
From Him that reigns above. 




CHAPTER XXVIII. 

Bear Ye One Another's Burdens, and so 
Fulfil the Law of Christ. 

S we have therefore opportunity, let 
us do good unto all men, especially 
unto them who are of the household 
of faith." 

If we see our brother or sister in a fault, 
or if we see some soul going astray, restore 
him or her in the spirit of meekness; for we 
know that the world is full of temptation, on 
the right hand and on the left. 

Let us consider ourselves, lest we also be 
tempted. Let us guide the wayward, as much 
as is possible for us to do. Let us not be de- 
ceived, God is not mocked, for "Whatsoever 
a man soweth, that shall he also reap." Let 
us sow to the spirit, and be careful that we 
do not sow to the flesh; for flesh and blood 
can not enter the Kingdom of God. "He that 
soweth to his flesh, shall of the flesh reap 
corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit, 
shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting." 



162 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

"Bear ye one another's burdens." 

Let us be faithful, always abounding in the 
love of Christ. Let us be led by the Spirit of 
God; and the fruit of that Spirit is "Love, 
joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, 
faith, meekness, temperance; against such 
there is no law." With all these guiding us 
in our every day life, we can bear each other's 
burdens, and love our neighbor as ourselves. 
Let us live in the Spirit, then there shall be 
no cause to stumble. 

Let us not be vain one toward another, nor 
envy one another, and Jesus will give unto us 
the spirit of wisdom, and our Mediator who 
is at the right hand of God will intercede for 
us, and with the Holy Spirit to help us, we 
can do all things. God the Father is rich in 
mercy and He will remember us with an ev- 
erlasting love; even when we were dead in 
trespasses and in sin he hath quickened us 
into life. "For by grace are ye saved through 
faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the 
gift of God. Not of works, lest any man 
should boast." 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 163 

We can't work our way to heaven by the 
laying on of hands ; we can't receive the Holy 
Spirit by rising early in the morning and la- 
boring late in the night. No, the grace of our 
crucified and risen Lord is not to be obtained 
in that way. It is a gift from God and not 
of man. 

We were once without hope and without 
God in the world ; but now in Christ Jesus we, 
who were afar off, are made nigh by the blood 
of Christ. He shed His precious blood on 
Calvary that you and I, and all who will come 
unto Him by faith, might have everlasting 
life — might have our names written in the 
Lamb's book of life, where we may be safe 
from the enemy of our souls, the storms of 
life and snares of Satan. 

Our bodies are earthly, they are only the 
dwelling place for the soul. When God speaks 
the word, they must return to mother earth, 
while the spirit will go back to God who gave 
it. Therefore strive to be ready when the 
summons comes. Let us not be weary in well 
doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we 
faint not. 



i6 4 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

To bear one another's burdens is to com- 
prehend the needs of those under trial; to 
have a heart of pity and a hand of relief for 
all their wants, trials and burdens ; it is, more- 
over, to be in such relation to Christ and the 
Holy Spirit that the blessings of strength and 
wisdom and grace may come to our aid. 

You will notice that the Apostle said, "I 
was made a minister according to the gift of 
the grace of God given unto me, who am less 
than the least of all saints, that I should 
preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable 
riches of Christ." This Apostle was not puf- 
fed up; he was willing to be called the least 
of the saints ; willing to suffer persecution for 
Christ's sake, and with all long-suffering, he 
was patient and kind to his fellowman, under 
all circumstances. He prayed and preached 
the gospel to all that came in his reach. 

Let us, therefore, be kind and forbearing to 
one another, forgiving one another, "Even as 
God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you," 
redeeming the time because the days are evil. 

Let us be filled with the spirit and "put on 
the whole armor of God, that we may be able 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 165 

to withstand in the evil day, and having done 
all, to stand." 

May we have the sweet assurance of the 
Apostle, who said, "for to me to live is Christ, 
and to die is gain." He did not want to choose 
for himself either life or death ; but said : "I 
am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to 
depart and to be with Christ, which is far bet- 
ter; nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more 
needful for you." 

The Apostle felt that he could fold his 
hands across his breast and breathe out his 
life sweetly, without a doubt or a fear. He 
had trusted God, but the thought of his fel- 
lowman, and because of his needs, he was 
willing to labor on and to suffer persecution, 
and if the enemy had slain him, he had a 
beautiful home — "an house not made with 
hands, eternal in the heavens." 

Is not this a beautiful thought, and ought 
we not to be willing to consecrate our lives to 
the service of our blessed Master, and say, 
"Thy will be done?" Willing to suffer even 
death for the will of Christ to be done in the 
earth. 



CHAPTER XXIX. 
Paui/s Exhortation. 

eAUL, an apostle of Jesus Christ by 
the commandment of God our Sa- 
viour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which 
is our hope/' 

This Apostle, in his letter to Timothy, gives 
us very encouraging news; he makes it clear 
to our minds that he speaks from experience 
and knowledge of Christ's power to save even 
to the uttermost all that will come unto God 
by Him. He said, "Christ Jesus came into 
the world to save sinners; of whom I am 
chief." He calls himself the chief of sinners, 
because he so bitterly persecuted the church 
of God. 

How wonderful was the transformation 
of Paul's life. In God's word we are told how 
this same man, who called himself the chief 
of sinners, preached the gospel of the Son 
of God — counting his life nothing that he 
might be able to win sinners to Christ. His 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 167 

spirit cried out in most pathetic tones, "Woe 
is unto me, if I preach not the gospel." 

He was imprisoned and beaten with many 
stripes, but that did not stop him from declar- 
ing the whole counsel of God. 

Well how did this chief sinner, as he calls 
himself, do this? He obtained mercy and 
grace at the hands of God sufficient to cleanse 
him from all sin; and though his sins were 
many, and he had walked in forbidden paths 
and done many things contrary to the will 
of God, yet God's grace never let him go, and 
he gives Him the glory in these words : "Now 
unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the 
only wise God, be honor and glory forever 
and ever." He thanks God, always, for His 
mercy and grace. 

How strengthening and full of hope for us 
to know that this same grace and mercy is 
for all who believe in our Lord Jesus Christ. 
He still lives and reigns supreme, and is to- 
day, as in the days of the Apostle Paul, for- 
giving sins and lifting up the fallen, and 
though he has been drawing men and women 
to Him all these years, yet His power is not 



168 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

exhausted, and He would have all the ends of 
the earth look unto Him and be saved. 

I am so glad salvation is free for all. Let 
us be content with our lot in this life; for 
godliness with contentment is great gain, hav- 
ing the promise of the life that now is, and 
that which is to come. We brought nothing 
into this world, and it is certain we will carry 
nothing out of it, but having food and raiment 
for our bodies, let us be content. 

Paul tells us to "fight the good fight of 
faith," and the promise is that we shall in- 
herit eternal life. 

The Apostle James tells us to keep our- 
selves unspotted from the world. Let us 
strive to do this until the appearing of our 
Lord Jesus Christ — the King of kings and 
Lord of lords. Let us be rich in good works, 
not highminded, but may we trust in the liv- 
ing God, who so richly giveth all things to 
enjoy. 

The Apostle Paul exhorts us to a greater 
faith in God, because of his personal experi- 
ence. He says, "I know whom I have be- 
lieved, and am persuaded that he is able to 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 169 

keep that which I have committed unto him 
against that day." 

The meaning of Paul is, I have been 
brought into the light — I have realized His 
power in my own soul — I have tested His 
promises under sore afflictions and trials, and 
I know for myself, and not another, that He 
will do what He says He will do. 

Thank God for this kind of evidence. Yes, 
Jesus is able to keep every soul that submits 
his or her life to His care and keeping; and no 
one can pluck them out of His loving hands. 

This Apostle suffered affliction that others, 
through his preaching, might be brought to 
a saving knowledge of the truth as it is in 
Christ Jesus our Lord, for if we be dead 
with Him, we shall also live with Him; if w r e 
suffer, we shall also reign with Him; if w T e 
deny Him, He also will deny us. The Lord 
knoweth them that are His, and if we put 
off the old man, if we are purged from our 
sins and made new creatures in Christ Jesus, 
we will be vessels unto honor, sanctified, and 
meet for the Master's use, and prepared unto 
every good work. 



170 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

As God has imparted knowledge and wis- 
dom unto you, do ye likewise to your fellow- 
man who sits in darkness. Let us study the 
word of God, improve every opportunity to 
do good that we may show ourselves, as the 
Apostle said, "Approved unto God, a work- 
man that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly 
dividing the word of truth. " 

We are to shun profane and vain babblings, 
for they will increase unto more ungodliness, 
more skepticism and more unfruitfulness. 

We should present our bodies a living sacri- 
fice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is our 
reasonable service. Give Him our hearts and 
serve Him in our every day lives. 

Let us not be careless about our Father's 
business. Let us render unto Him the things 
that belong to Him — our talents, our time, 
our means, our opportunities. 

Let me relate an incident : My brother was 
a great lover of music. When he heard clear, 
sweet music ring out on the air, as a rule, 
he joined in the song; but at this particular 
time I refer to, perhaps his heart was sad, 
or he might have been overwhelmed with joy, 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 171 

as we sometimes are when our souls have 
feasted on the beautiful songs of Zion. This 
time, however, he sat in absolute silence; and 
his dear little son said to him (knowing his 
father's love for sweet music), "Papa, why 
don't you sing?" 

This father and son have passed over the 
river and are resting under the shade of the 
trees, and I trust are to-day singing the glad, 
sweet music of salvation, with the spirit and 
with the understanding, in a world that shall 
never end. 

And I say to all God's children, everywhere, 
"Why don't you sing?" Why don't you praise 
God with your voice? And if you are not a 
Christian, I ask why not? 

Is it because some dear companion, or 
schoolmate, to whom you are bound with the 
strong ties of love — (which ties are almost 
eternal), is saying to you, "time enough yet?" 
Or is it because some one, who has professed 
to know Christ in the pardon of sin, has 
looked back, or is following Christ afar off? 

I heard a young man say the other day, 
these words: "What has disgusted me with 



172 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

the Christian religion, is the fact that people 
professing to be Christians are meaner than 
I am, and I don't pretend to be a Christian." 

But let me say these earnest words: To 
man or woman, boy or girl, if there be such 
a one, who does not live up to his or her 
duty as a church member, it will not hurt 
you — it is their sin and not yours. 

We should remember our individuality be- 
fore God, surrender our hearts to Him, and 
trust Christ for life and salvation. 

Don't let some one else keep you out of 
heaven because you think they are not what 
they ought to be. They can't render an ac- 
count to God for you, nor answer for deeds 
done in your body. You, and you alone, can 
satisfy the demands of God in the last day. 

False friends may hinder us in this life, 
if we will allow them to do so. They can 
start us down the hill, give us a shove and 
soon land us at the bottom, with a thousand 
regrets. What we should do is to learn to 
say, "No" to false friends and to the allure- 
ments of this world. 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 173 

Our duty, in this old sinful world, is for 
us to do all we can in the name of Jesus. He 
has saved us with His own blood, suffered the 
just for the unjust, ascended on high, sat 
down at the right hand of God, and is inter- 
ceding for the whole world that liveth in 
wickedness. His love and grace is unlimited 
and He will save to the uttermost all that 
will come unto God by Him. 

Another thought : Some sweet day He will 
gather up His jewels; He will enter this low 
ground of sorrow, but not to be taken with 
cruel hands and nailed to the cross of shame 
and suffering; but He will come with might 
and power to greet the redeemed and carry 
them home to heaven ; to the city of the New 
Jerusalem, that mansion He has prepared for 
the redeemed from the foundation of the 
world. Did He not say, "in my Father's house 
are many mansions?'' And again, "I go to 
prepare a place for you." 

O glorious thought! O blessed day! We 
won't have to return to this world of sin and 
sorrow, temptation and disappointment, but 



174 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

wilt be reunited with the saints and loved 
ones gone on before. 

When the victory is won, 

And the crown is obtained, 

When we see Him as He is, 

With a harp of gold 

And a tongue untold, 

We shall praise Him evermore. 



CHAPTER XXX. 

The Christian's Rest to be Obtained by 
Faith. 

HET us therefore fear, lest a promise 
being left us of entering into His 
rest, any of you should seem to come 
short of it." 

We have had the gospel preached to us in 
its purity and its saving power, and yet, if we 
deny the faith and become unbelieving chil- 
dren and fail to enter into our rest, who will ■ 
be to blame? Can we say in the day of dan- 
ger and destruction, after the sacrifice that 
God has made for us to redeem our souls 
from sin, that Jesus is at fault? God for- 
bid. If we trample God's mercies under our 
feet, harden our hearts, stiffen our necks and 
grieve the Holy Spirit, we may expect to fall 
under the condemnation of God. 

It is by faith that we enter into our rest — 
the rest that remaineth for the people of God. 
"Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, 



176 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

lest any man fall after the same example of 
unbelief. For the word of God is quick and 
powerful, and sharper than any two-edged 
sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder 
of soul and spirit, and of the joints and mar- 
row, and is a discerner of the thoughts and in- 
tents of the heart." 

Seeing then that we have a great High 
Priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus 
the Son of God, let us hold fast our profes- 
sion. Jesus was tempted like you and I, yet 
without sin. Let us come boldly to the throne 
of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find 
grace to help in time of need. 

Did you ever study the life and religion of 
Cain and Abel? 

Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a 
tiller of the ground; and further on we no- 
tice they brought offerings unto the Lord, 
Cain bringing of the fruit of the ground, but 
Abel the firstlings of his flock and the fat 
thereof. 

We are told that the Lord had respect unto 
Abel and his offering, but unto Cain and his 
offering He had not respect. 



VISIONS OF THE KIXGDOM. 177 

Why was Cain's offering rejected by the 
Lord? To me it is very plain; Cain's offer- 
ing was not offered unto the Lord in faith. 

Just so with you and I, if we, like Cain, 
bring our offerings unto the Lord just be- 
cause others are doing so, we will be rejected. 
But if, like Abel, we come in faith, our offer- 
ings and petitions will be accepted. 

Xot only was Abel's offering accepted, but 
he obtained witness that he was righteous — 
that he was pleasing God in his sacrifices. 

By faith Enoch was translated, that he 
should not see death. And why? Because he 
had this testimony, that he pleased God. But 
without faith it is impossible to please God. 

Dear reader, would you not like to have the 
sweet assurance that Enoch had? That you 
please God, and that His approbation rests 
upon you? 

What an awful thing it is to see in our 
courts the number of people who are called 
upon to stand before the Judge to receive 
their sentence; and what is more fearful, in 
the day of all days, when we shall be judged 
according to the deeds done in the body and 



178 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

to receive our final doom to life everlasting 
or to eternal punishment. 

Sometimes, when we are walking in forbid- 
den paths we can almost feel the touch of 
His hand and hear His voice warning us of 
the dangerous paths our feet are treading 
and our lives are feeling. 

My father had great dislike for some of 
the evils that draw such large crowds of peo- 
ple, especially operas, and always advised his 
children not to indulge in this kind of amuse- 
ment. But when I was younger than I am 
now, I ventured to disobey his will, and de- 
cided to go in for one of the performances. 
After I had bought a ticket, and was just in 
the act of yielding to the moment of tempta- 
tion, it appeared to me I could feel the hand 
of my dear father touching me and bidding 
me to beware of the danger that was before 
me, and, regardless of the money I had spent 
and the influence of present company, I walk- 
ed away with a great sense of relief, that has 
helped me all along through life; not only to 
listen to the warnings of my earthly father, 
but to be on my guard and above all things, 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 179 

to obey my Heavenly Father, who is watch- 
ing all the steps of my pathway. 

We notice so many things attained to by 
faith, even in our every day life. If we go 
to do a piece of work and haven't faith in 
ourselves, that work will be a failure ; and un- 
less we have faith in Jesus Christ, our life's 
work will be a failure, also. 

My faith looks now unto a Rock, 
That rock is Christ, a strong-hold, sure; 
His love is so great, no tongue can tell, 
"Tis He who saves my soul from hell. 

Let us look unto Him at all times, and un- 
der all circumstances of life, as the author and 
finisher of our faith. 



CHAPTER XXXI. 
The Perfection of Christ's Body. 



© 



( EING made perfect, He became the 
author of eternal salvation, to all 
that obey Him. 

There is no remission of sins without the 
shedding of blood — the blood of the Lamb of 
God that taketh away the sin of the world; 
"For it is not possible that the blood of bulls 
and of goats should take away sins." 

No, it is not possible that the blood of the 
beasts of the field, or the fowls of the air, 
should atone for our sins, but Jesus Christ 
was made perfect through suffering. 

It is true, also, that the body of Jesus 
Christ is the glory of salvation. Christ said 
to the Father long before this material world 
was made, "Sacrifice and offering thou 
wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared 
me." The meaning of which is, that all of- 
ferings on the altars would not meet the de- 
mands of one soul dead in sin; but with the 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 181 

human body given to Jesus Christ, every re- 
quirement of the Triune God shall be met, 
and every need of the soul, dead in sin, shall 
be supplied. Jesus came to earth that He 
might reveal the Father ; He died on the cross 
to make the only atonement that will ever 
be accepted of the Godhead. 

Many fathers and mothers would freely 
shed their heart's blood for their loved ones, 
who are standing aloof from the calls of God's 
grace and mercy, and who have never bowed 
the knee to the God of their salvation and 
have trodden under foot the warnings and 
entreaties of God's Holy Spirit. But fathers 
and mothers might shed the last drop of blood 
they have, drop by drop, still it would have 
no saving power. The blood of Jesus Christ, 
the Saviour of the world, is the only atone- 
ment for sin. 

You remember that under the law the beau- 
tiful lamb was offered for a sacrifice to honor 
God. But once for all time, Jesus Christ was 
made the sacrifice for all men and women, and 
His righteousness is the end of the law to 
every one that believeth in Him. 



182 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

Can we not say to-day, deep down in our 
hearts, that Jesus came to do the will of God, 
and grant repentance to all who will call upon 
His name? 

Why should we not say, "I will arise and 
go to Jesus — to my Father's house, though I 
be in tatters and rags and my feet bare; I 
will go to Him, and have my feet shod with 
the gospel of peace and a new robe put on me, 
even the robe of righteousness." Then we 
can sing that grand old song : 

"I will arise and go to Jesus." 

Can we not believe that Jesus died for all? 

Jesus not only died and rose again for our 
justification, but He became our Mediator 
for all time, saying, "Son, give me thine 
heart/' He is pleading with the wayward 
every day to give a few days' work to His 
service. 

Can we not draw near to this Saviour with 
a true heart, and in full assurance of faith, 
having our hearts sprinkled from an evil con- 
science and our bodies washed with pure wa- 
ter, and be saved from our sins? 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 183 

He that despised Moses' law, died without 
mercy under two or three witnesses. "Of how 
much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he 
be thought worthy, who hath trodden under 
foot the Son of God, and hath counted the 
blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanc- 
tified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite 
unto the Spirit of grace?" 

God's word tells us, "it is appointed unto 
men once to die, but after this the judgment." 

So Christ was once offered to bear the sins 
of many; and unto them that look for Him 
shall He appear the second time, without sin 
unto salvation. 

"Yet a little while, and He that shall come 
will come, and will not tarry." No, when 
Jesus comes the second time, He will make a 
short work of it, neither will He tarry. 

Did you ever stop to think how careful we 
are when we start on a journey? We put 
the house in order; the clothes for the little 
ones are all arranged where they can be eas- 
ily found; then we pack our trunks. Some- 



184 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

times, we even go so far as to lay every gar- 
ment we expect to wear in the fitting place, 
so that we may be ready; may be on time. 
If you ever did this, you know how quickly 
you can be off; and long before the old clock 
strikes the hour of our departure, we are 
ready to go. Yes, ready to make the trip 
with a score of joyous anticipations dwelling 
in our hearts. 

Then dear reader, what a beautiful fore- 
taste we have here of the trip we all have to 
make, sooner or later, the trip from earth to 
heaven ; the trip that is never to be marred by 
difficulties or disappointments. If we have 
made the necessary preparations in this life, 
the gospel train will not pull out and leave 
us ; but if we are ready and waiting, there will 
be no sad partings and no tearful good byes, 
for we have put on the robe of righteousness 
and washed our garments in the blood of the 
Lamb. We shall watch and wait with pa- 
tient hope for the message, "Come, ye blessed 
of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared 
for you/' 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 185 

Blessed are they whom the Lord, when He 
cometh, shall find ready and watching. 

Accept the gift that Jesus gave 
His life He gave, our souls to save; 
Three days He rested in the tomb, 
Then up He 'rose, His work resumed. 

And now He sits at God's right hand, 
Imploring mercy for sinful man, 
With groans and moans, we can't describe, 
O please do not this Christ deride. 

He is a shepherd, kind and true, 
And loves us as no other can do; 
In His hand, He holds the key, 
That locks us in eternity. 

We are His heirs, if we but knew, 
A rich inheritance is there for you. 
And don't you hear the Master call, 
In gentle tones, for one and all? 

Then trust His grace, believe His word — 
To you He'll give a rich reward. 
Get in the straight and narrow way, 
That leads to life and eternal day. 

This life we live must have an end; 
These mortal bodies return to dust; 
But by and by, some time, somewhere, 
We'll rise like Him, in whom we trust. 



i86 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

We'll rise to meet our Saviour, dear, 
The Judgment day will then appear. 
We'll hear the words, Depart or Come 
To the Father's house, our happy home. 

May not one hear the word "depart" 
From Jesus' presence forever to dwell, 
In flames and terrors, no tongue can tell, 
With demons in a burning hell. 



CHAPTER XXXII. 
Directions Given to Titus. 

CAUL said to Titus, "speak thou the 
things which become sound doc- 
trine." He wanted him to speak the 
truth, as it was revealed in Jesus Christ, who 
is the way, the truth and the life. 

To speak the truth, is to be loyal to the 
truth, and the truth will make us free. To 
speak the truth, under all the conditions of 
life, is to receive a reward, for the products 
of truth are but the reflections of God Him- 
self. 

When Paul said to Titus, "speak thou the 
things which become sound doctrine," he but 
said, be loyal to yourself and to Jesus Christ, 
and your reward shall be a good minister of 
the gospel — able to teach others to grow in 
grace and a knowledge of the truth, as it is 
revealed by Jesus Christ. 

In Paul's charge to Titus, he makes out a 
clear case for the old, the young and the mid- 



1 88 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

die-aged. He gives many wholesome lessons 
as to how we should walk before the world. 

He exhorts Titus to be a pattern of good 
works; living for the benefit of others, re- 
deeming the time, because of the evil days in 
which he lived. 

He appeals to the highest motive that can 
be offered to all men for a better and more 
consecrated service to our Lord and Master, 
that we may be an inspiration to the weak and 
doubting and a tower of strength to the faith- 
ful and loyal sons of our common Father. 

What we are at the end of this life, we will 
be when the next begins. If we live right- 
eously and godly in this present world, all 
will be well when we shall be called to the 
saint's everlasting rest ; to the Mediator of the 
new covenant, and to the general assembly of 
those w T hose names are written in the book of 
life. 

Let us not be weary in well doing, for in 
due season we shall reap, if we faint not. It 
is not for us to say the time or place that we 
shall reap, but the Good Shepherd, that 
careth for His sheep, will lead us beside the 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 189 

still waters, and He will never leave us nor 
forsake us, for He has said so in His word. 

He will lead us, but never leave us, 
While on our pilgrimage here. 

He will never forsake His children, 
But is always ever near. 

On and on we'll journey, 

With Jesus as our guide 
We know He is true and faithful, 

Tn Him we can confide. 



CHAPTER XXXIII. 
David's Cause for Gratitude. 

OAVID, in his hour of prayer and 
meditation, spake unto the Lord as 
follows : "O Lord, thou hast search- 
ed me, and known me." So the Lord that 
searcheth the hearts of all men and women, 
knows our hearts and the intents thereof; 
knows whether they are good or evil. 

When the sun that lights up this old world 
is shining in all its beauty, God sees us; and 
when it sinks in the west and darkness gathers 
around us, when neither sun, moon nor stars 
send forth their wanted light, Jesus the Sa- 
viour of the world, who sacrificed His life 
for all mankind, sees us and understands all 
our thoughts, words and deeds. The darkness 
hideth not from His allseeing eye, and the 
night shineth as the day. When we are in 
the most secret place, we are just as visible 
to His allseeing eye as if we were on the 
house top. 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 191 

We can put on a Sunday face and deceive 
our pastor, and we can deceive our parents 
and our most intimate friends, but we have 
a problem before us to undertake to deceive 
the Saviour of the world; and David solved 
it when he confessed to the world, in his Song 
of Praise, and said, "thou knowest my down- 
sitting and mine uprising; thou understandest 
my thought afar off." 

When we retire at night, after a wearisome 
day's work has been completed, and fail to 
bow the knee to Him who has kept us through 
the day, He knows it. If we walk in forbid- 
den paths, though no human eye beholds and 
no human power may harm us, yet the great 
Jehovah is with us; His allseeing eye is upon 
us, to behold our secret sin and to condemn 
our wayward life. Let us bow our heads in 
shame and in repentance when we have dis- 
obeyed and gone astray, and with fervent 
hearts make confession to Him who sitteth 
upon the throne of His power watching and 
recording all we think, say or do, that we may 
escape His wrath in the day of His assign- 
ment. 



192 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

David said, "there is not a word in my 
tongue, but lo, O Lord, thou knowest it alto- 
gether." 

Is He not a God to fear as well as a God to 
love, who takes notice of all our steps in the 
most secret places of our lives? 

Is He not the one to be in peace with us, 
when the happiness or misery of our souls is 
involved in our relation to Him? 

We sometimes feel all alone, forlorn and 
forsaken, but we are not alone ; for God is at 
home and abroad, on the land and on the sea. 
His knowledge unsurpassed, and His presence 
is ever near. 

David confessed that God's knowledge was 
too wonderful for him to fathom, when he 
said, "it is high, I can not attain unto it. 
Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whith- 
er shall I flee from thy presence? If I as- 
cend up into heaven, thou art there; if I make 
my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I 
take the wings of the morning and dwell in 
the uttermost parts of the sea, even there shall 
thy hand lead me and thy right hand shall 
hold me." 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 193 

Is it not something worth while for us to 
consider His omniscience and His omnipo- 
tence, when we know that He is ever pres- 
ent to behold our crooked ways and to reward 
us according to the deeds done in the body. 

Should we not strive to obey and love Him 
who seeth in the dark places, as well as in the 
light? He lingers near us on the land and on 
the sea — who guides us by His spirit and leads 
us by His strong arm. Should we not lean 
upon His mighty power that never fails us 
and never forsakes us? 

David showed how sweet God's mercies 
were toward Him when he said, "How prec- 
ious are thy thoughts unto me, O God! If 
I should count them, they are more in number 
than the sand." 

Think of His loving care for us. When we 
were dead in trespasses and in sin, He re- 
deemed us with the precious blood of Christ, 
and sent His spirit to lead us in the way of 
all truth. 

Let us say, as did the Psalmist David, 
"Search me, O God, and know my heart; 
try me, and know my thoughts, and see if 



194 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

there be any wicked way in me, and lead me 
in the way everlasting/' 

Let us give Jesus free access to our hearts, 
that He may cleanse our whole being; and 
when He has searched us and tried us, we 
may say with David: "Bless the Lord, O 
nry soul ; and all that is within me, bless His 
holy name." 

How precious are Thy thoughs, O Lord, 
How precious is Thy saving grace. 

How precious the blood, once spilt, 
To save a lost and ruined race. 




CHAPTER XXXIV. 

Esau and Jacob. 

ND it came to pass, that when Isaac 
was old, and his eyes were dim, so 
that he could not see, he called Esau, 
his eldest son, and said unto him, take thy 
weapons, thy quiver and thy bow, and go out 
to the field, and take me some venison." 

What did Isaac want with this venison? 
Was he really hungry, as we sometimes are, 
after a day's labor, or a long drive or did 
he have some other motive than hunger? 

Let us see. Notice that Isaac loved Esau, 
but Rebekah loved Jacob. Isaac said to Esau, 
"make me savoury meat, such as I love, and 
bring it to me, that I may eat; that my soul 
may bless thee, before I die." 

Did Esau, whom Isaac loved with ceaseless 
devotion, do as he was bidden to do? Or did 
he refuse to go? Or say yes, I will go, but 
did not go? 

Does it not seem that when more than 



ig6 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

gold or silver was to be considered that Esau 
would have gone at a high rate of speed af- 
ter his father, who had loved him so dearly, 
had told him to go, in words that could not 
be misunderstood, and made haste to accom- 
plish his mission when his father said, "I 
know not the day of my death." 

We can picture in our minds this young 
man, as he equipped himself with bow and 
arrow, and started on his errand that he felt 
sure would bring him the blessing. 

The result of this errand was that after 
Esau had made ready, had prepared the ven- 
ison and made the savoury meat and re- 
turned, in his own mind he was as sure of the 
blessing in a few moments as if he had al- 
ready received it. But another, in the mean- 
time, had come in under false colors and had 
received the blessing. 

Rebekah now proceeds to disguise Jacob. 
She put on him Esau's raiment, and upon his 
neck and hands she put the skins of kids, that 
Jacob might appear hairy ; . for you remem- 
ber that Esau was a hairy man. 

So you see that Satan comes to us dis- 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 197 

guised in every conceivable way; he even 
transforms himself into an angel of light, that 
he may deceive those he would wreck and 
ruin. He robs us of not only earthly pleas- 
ures, but he robs us of our heavenly inheri- 
tance. Yes, Satan puts upon his hands the 
skin of the fleecy lamb, and his conversation 
to us sometimes is so flattering and so de- 
ceptive, that we say, "Surely this is the voice 
and hands of a friend. " 

Sometimes Satan so disguises himself and 
so completely hides his purposes, that the only 
remedy for our relief is to wrestle with God 
in prayer before we can break the chain that 
binds and say to him, "get thee hence." Only 
when we look to Jesus in faith and hope, are 
we able to shake off the shackles of sin and 
go on our way rejoicing. 

Let us remember this story of Esau and 
Jacob; let us remember that we can't deceive 
our heavenly Father with goat skins, nor false 
raiment, as did Jacob his earthly father, for 
God sees us from afar off, and measures our 
thoughts and squares our actions in the condi- 
tions of this life. 



198 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

Satan always comes the closest when we 
lend a listening ear to him, and there is no 
remedy for us but to say to him, as Jesus 
did, "Get thee behind me, Satan; thou art 
an offense unto me/' 

The snares of Satan are so deceptive. Fre- 
quently he says to us what he said to the 
Master on the mountain, "All these things 
will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and 
worship me." Yes, all the pleasures of the 
world, the fame of riches, the lusts of the 
flesh, shall be thine if you will only be my 
disciple, says Satan. 

Satan approaches us at the weakest point 
of defense, because he understands it will be 
much easier for us to yield at this point. 

Some may rob us of our birthright here in 
this world, but thank God none can rob us of 
our inheritance that is "incorruptible and un- 
defiled and that fadeth not away, reserved in 
heaven for you, who are kept by the power of 
God through faith unto salvation, ready to be 
revealed in the last time." 

No one shall be able to rob the Lord Jesus 
Christ of His power; for when He ascended 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 199 

on high He said, "All power is given unto 
me in heaven and in earth ;" and He will 
hold that power until the restitution of all 
things; until the last battle with sin has been 
fought and the last victory won. 

A most precious thought comes to us that 
the wise Master Builder w r alks before us and 
takes care of us, and has arranged our inheri- 
tance so that neither father nor mother, 
brother nor sister, friend nor foe, can disin- 
herit us or take from us the pearl of great 
price. 

Esau said to his father, "Is not he rightly 
named Jacob? For he hath supplanted me 
these two times : he took away my birthright, 
and, behold, now he hath taken away my 
blessing; hast thou not reserved a blessing 
for me?" 

But the father said, "I have made him thy 
lord, and all his brethren have I given to him 
for servants; and with corn and wine have I 
sustained him, and what shall I do now unto 
thee, my son?" 

Here is the power demonstrated between 
an earthly father and our Heavenly Father. 



200 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

The means and strength of a father, even to 
his children, can be exhausted; but the 
strength and means of our Heavenly Father 
is never exhausted, nor His purpose and His 
will concerning us can never be changed. 

What a piteous cry the son here made 
when he said, "Hast thou but one blessing, 
my father? Bless me, even me also, O my 
father/' We see the bitter tears of disap- 
pointment running down his cheeks, as he 
raises his tear-dimmed eyes to his father, 
while making his plea for help and for mercy. 

No doubt this earthly father's heart was 
wrung and his anguish knew no bounds; but 
his blessings were exhausted and he could 
give no relief; but I want to say just here, 
the blessings of our Heavenly Father are 
without number, and if we ask we shall re- 
ceive abundant blessings. 

After Esau had begged so piteously for a 
blessing his father said, "Behold, thy dwell- 
ing shall be the fatness of the earth and of 
the dew of heaven from above; and by thy 
sword shalt thou live and shalt serve thy 
brother; and it shall come to pass when thou 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 201 

shalt have the dominion that thou shalt break 
his yoke from off thy neck." 

And was Esau pleased with this blessing? 
No, he was wroth and said in his heart, "The 
days of mourning for my father are at hand ; 
then will I slay my brother Jacob." 

You see what a great fire a little matter 
kindleth. Esau hated Jacob because of the 
blessing wherewith his father blessed him, 
and his anger was aroused and he pronounced 
vengeance against his only brother. He 
didn't stop to think, " Vengeance is mine; I 
will repay, saith the Lord." And again, "what- 
soever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." 
Esau allowed his passion to get the better of 
him and would have brought himself into 
further trouble, had not the Lord intervened. 

And Isaac in his old age, 

While yet his eyes were dim, 
Said Esau, make me savoury meat, 

And joy fill my soul within. 

Did Esau make the savoury meat? 

Did Esau receive the blessing? 
Yes, Esau made the savoury meat, 

But Jacob received the blessing. 



CHAPTER XXXV. 

David's Confidence in God. 

% — y/T^ N thee, O Lord, do I put my trust." 
What a beautiful expression is 
^** ^ this of the Psalmist — how confid- 
ing and so full of faith — how full of 
confidence in the promises of God did 
David feel when he wrote this expres- 
sion. He didn't say I will trust my own 
strength, or my capacity in the hour of trou- 
ble or the hour of danger. David meant by 
this expression, if my God is for me, I shall 
not fear what man may do unto me. 

Can we not say like the Psalmist, "Lead 
me and guide me, for thou art my strength, 
into thine hand I commit my spirit; thou hast 
redeemed me, O Lord God of truth." 

Can any living man who walks the ways of 
this life say in his heart that he can trust his 
own strength, that he can defy his enemies 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 203 

without putting his trust in God's truth? 
Can he say, though disease has not yet fast- 
ened its fangs upon him and fever has not 
yet scorched his brow, "I am independent of 
God's power or God's protection?" 

Let us remember that we are not our own, 
and how soon we may hear from Him who 
has power and authority, "This night thy soul 
shall be required of thee." 

Let us say in the depths of our hearts, at 
all times and under all circumstances, "In 
thee, O Lord, do I put my trust; for thy 
name's sake lead me and guide me." 

Remember that when David knew he had 
to battle with an enemy, even a fierce enemy, 
he did not take upon his shoulder the musket 
or the rifle and go out to battle for his life; 
but he went to God, the Jehovah of all bat- 
tles — the One in whom he had put his trust, 
and pleaded for mercy and grace when the 
enemy had sorely beset him until he confessed 
to the Lord his grief and waited with patience 
for his reward. 

Though David's grief was great and tears 
often flowed down his cheeks, and sometimes 



204 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

his faith would almost fail him for a time, 
and he compared himself to a dead man and 
a broken vessel as his enemies were chasing 
him, and not only chasing him, but threaten- 
ing his life; in it all he turned to God with 
that sweet assurance of faith and said, "I 
trust in thee, O Lord — thou art my God, the 
rock of my salvation.'' 

And if any man, woman, boy or girl can 
truthfully say, "Thou art my God, the rock 
of my salvation," he or she shall be saved. 

Remember Abraham's faith and his sub- 
mission to God's will when he was com- 
manded to offer up Isaac on the altar of sac- 
rifice. He did not seek to save the life of 
Isaac, but to do the will of God. Perfect 
submission to God's will is what is well-pleas- 
ing in His sight. 

When God stayed the hand of Abraham and 
would not let him take the life of Isaac, He 
acknowledged the perfect submission of 
Abraham, and He honored him from then on 
through the ages, as the father of the faith- 
ful. 

Abraham was so consecrated to God's will 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 205 

that it was a pleasure to do anything he was 
bidden to do. He was also prepared to prac- 
tice the Golden Rule, to do unto others as 
we would have them do unto us. 

So we, if we would do as David and Abra- 
ham did, would be in a condition to drive 
back the dark shadows that gather around us 
and to be sustained in what seems to be a 
burden greater than we can bear; and the 
road now full of obstacles would soon be 
cleared away, and we could say with the 
Psalmist, "My times are in thy hand." Just 
lean on His everlasting arm, and be guided 
by His spirit. 

Is it not a supreme blessing for us to be 
able to say that our times are ever in God's 
hands? In the hands of One who knows no 
defeat, and One who will never leave nor for- 
sake us in all the burdens of life. If our 
times are in the hands of God we are sure 
of perfect peace and complete rest that can 
never come to us in any other way. We will 
be assured that the Lord is our Shepherd and 
we will not want for anything. 



CHAPTER XXXVI. 

The Result of Falsehood. 

^TT^E notice that Ananias, with Sapphira, 
W J his wife, sold a possession, but they 
VJ^X sold it grudgingly. They were not 
honest with God; they were not honest with 
Peter; and what is more, they were not hon- 
est with themselves. 

God loves a cheerful giver; He loves an 
honest gift; and if it is not an honest gift, it 
is none of His. He is too pure to be tempted. 

On one occasion when earnest prayer had 
been made, the Holy Ghost came down in 
great power, "And the multitude of them 
that believed were of one heart and of one 
soul; neither said any of them that ought of 
the things which he possessed was his own, 
but they had all things common." 

And not only this, but as many as were 
possessors of lands or houses sold them, and 
brought the prices of the things that were 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 207 

sold and laid them down at the Apostles' feet. 

But Ananias and his wife, Sapphira, sold 
a possession and they kept back a part of the 
price, though they brought a certain part and 
laid it at the Apostles' feet. 

Just here I want to say the thought that 
comes into my mind is — how can we expect 
to deceive God? We can deceive each other 
for a time, and we may deceive ourselves, but 
we can never deceive our God. He sees in 
the darkest hour of the night and probes the 
deepest recesses of our hearts. 

Do you not believe that Christ's strength 
will supply us in all our needs and in all rela- 
tions of life? 

You remember that Paul said, "By the 
grace of God I am what I am;" and I say 
to you, it will be by the grace of God that 
we are saved, if saved at all. It was the 
grace of God that prompted those people to 
sell the things they possessed and give to 
those that were needy. 

I say to one and all that there is in God's 
grace resource for every necessity, help for 
every burden, and direction in every trial. 



208 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

Often we are burdened and we feel like 
our burdens and trials are greater than we 
can bear; but as I have said before, let us 
look to the blessed Saviour to roll away those 
burdens from our hearts and give us grace 
and strength for all the circumstances of life; 
remembering while we were yet sinners 
Christ died for us, not that we loved God, 
but that He loved us and sent His Son to be 
the propitiation for our sins. If we will only 
trust Him, we can say like one of old, "The 
Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want." 

Let us keep our eyes on Christ and we will 
get such a vision of God's grace as will bring 
peace to our hearts; let us obey Him and 
whatsoever we do or say, may it be to the 
glory of God the Father. He that doeth His 
will shall know of the doctrine. 

How important it is for all Christians to 
get all there is in the gospel for them — the 
peace, the joy, the power that the world 
knows nothing of — the peace that passeth all 
understanding. 

Let us lay aside every weight and the sin 
that doth so easily beset us and look to Jesus, 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 209 

the author and finisher of our faith. Then 
we will find our paths, that seem to be filled 
with difficulties now, cleared of all hindrances, 
and lighted by Him who came to light "Every 
man that cometh into the world." 

Peter, knowing that Satan had filled the 
hearts of Ananias and his wife to lie to the 
Holy Ghost, gave them the needed rebuke; 
but the rebuke was too much for a guilty con- 
science, and they both fell down and gave 
up the ghost, without offering an excuse or 
even a prayer to Almighty God. 

Remember God's word says, "All liars shall 
have their part in the lake which burneth 
with fire and brimstone." 

We notice here the awful fate of this man 
and woman going in the broad way of sin 
and death and the terrible consequences that 
followed their sin. 

Let us do what God has commanded us to 
do, and His protection is sure. 

Lord, take me now and make me 

Just what Thou wouldst have me be. 

Yes, fit me for Thy service, 

And I'll give the praise to Thee. 



CHAPTER XXXVII. 
The Keeping of God's Saints. 



e 



f OD says He will keep the feet of 
His saints and the wicked shall 
be silent in darkness. They shall 
be like "A tree planted by the rivers 
of water, that bring forth his fruit in 
his season; his leaf also shall not wither, 
and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper." But 
the ungodly are not so, "But are like the chaff 
which the wind driveth away." 

I often think of Hannah's promise to God, 
and her release on Samuel, her son; that she 
would lend him to the Lord all the days of 
his life — what faith and what confidence she 
had in her Lord, that He would take care of 
her son. 

How well-pleasing it is to God for us to 
show our faith in Him; to recognize the fact 
that we should lend our dear little ones to 
God because He has lent them to us for only 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 211 

a season and for a purpose — to brighten our 
homes and hearts, share our joys and sor- 
rows. 

Oh, that we could say as Hannah did, 
'There is none holy as the Lord, for there 
is none beside thee; neither is there any rock 
like our God/' May we ever take shelter 
under this Rock in time of storm and in time 
of battle, and build upon this foundation that 
has been laid from the beginning of the world 
— the Rock that none can overthrow and the 
Rock of eternal ages for all mankind. 

Remember the promise of the Lord: "He 
will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked 
shall be silent in darkness/' 

Let us look at the glorious triumph of the 
Christian and the humiliation of the wicked. 
Were we to be doomed to a home of dark- 
ness in this present world, how dreary this 
life would be to us. We could but cry out 
"Lord save, or I perish. " 

But when the sunlight of God's counte- 
nance is hid from our view forever, and the 
flames of a burning hell sweep over us, there 



212 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth that 
no tongue can tell and no pen describe. 

If we will give our hearts to God, He will 
keep our feet from straying and our tongue 
from speaking guile. The Lord is our ref- 
uge and a present help in time of trouble. 
He will make good His words unto all men, 
and His protecting hand will be extended to 
all who call upon His name. 

The Saviour said, "Come unto me, all ye 
that labor and are heavy laden, and I will 
give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and 
learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in 
heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls; 
for my yoke is easy and my burden is light." 
Take up the cross and follow after righteous- 
ness, casting our burdens upon the Lord and 
He will be with us in the sixth trial, and in 
the seventh one, He will not forsake us. 

To undertake to carry our own burdens is 
the surest way to find ourselves crushed. 
Sure we will utterly fail if we attempt to 
meet the battles of life in our own strength, 
but if we go to God in prayer, we will gain 
the victory. 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 213 

But some may say, "What is prayer ?" The 
meaning of prayer is to acknowledge we need 
help beyond our own strength. We feel the 
presence and power of God when we come to 
the end of our own strength — "Man's extrem- 
ity is God's opportunity." 

Let us work each day in His vineyard, 

Obey the Master's command; 
Ever press onward and upward, 

My friends, don't idly stand. 



CHAPTER XXXVIII. 

Christ's Interview With Nicodemus. 

^^^^HERE was a man of the Pharisees, 
■ " j named Nicodemus, a ruler of the 
^^^^ Jews. This same man came to Jesus 
by night, and said unto Him, "Rabbi, we 
know that thou art a teacher come from God, 
for no man can do these miracles that thou 
doest, except God be with him." 

Jesus answered and said unto him, "Verily, 
verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born 
again, he can not see the kingdom of God." 

So we see there is no way to have a proper 
vision of the kingdom, unless we are born 
again, or born into the kingdom. 

Again Jesus said to him, "Except a man 
be born of water and of the Spirit, he can 
not enter into the kingdom of God." 

It is one thing to see the kingdom of God 
and it is another to enter into it. We get a 
proper view of the kingdom by the Spirit, 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 215 

but can't get into it until we bring Christ's 
righteousness to pay the purchase price of it. 
Before the question of being born again can 
be undertsood we must know what the Sav- 
iour meant when He said, 'That which is 
born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is 
born of the Spirit is spirit. " To be born of 
the flesh is to reproduce the characteristics of 
the flesh, which relate only to the flesh; but 
to be born of the Spirit is to reproduce the 
characteristics of the Spirit, which relate only 
to the Spirit. One is material and mortal; 
the other is spiritual and immortal. 

To be born of the flesh is to produce death, 
but to be born of the Spirit is to produce life 
— one is to produce bondage, the other is to 
produce freedom. 

Paul said, "For the law of the Spirit of 
life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from 
the law of sin and death." 

We notice further on that there was a 
woman in a certain city who, like Nicodemus, 
had not been born of the Spirit. This woman 
came to Jesus and stood at His feet weeping, 
and began washing His feet with her tears; 



216 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

but she did not stop there, she kissed His 
feet and anointed them with ointment. We 
have no record that this woman spoke a word 
to Jesus, but her actions showed she wanted 
to know something more about Him. 

But the same trouble arose then as it does 
now — that of fault-finding; while the reply 
of Jesus will be the same, "I came not to call 
the righteous, but sinners to repentance. ,, 
These are the words of Jesus, and we are 
told that this woman's sins, though they were 
many, were forgiven, and He said to her, 
"Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace. ,, 

Remember when Jesus sent forth his twelve 
disciples to preach, He commanded them to 
go "To the lost sheep of the house of Israel," 
and does not this command apply to us? 

Jesus not only healed the sin-sick souls of 
many, but He cured their bodies as well. He 
made the lame to walk, the blind to see and 
the deaf to hear. Wherever Jesus went, He 
did something for suffering humanity. 

With such demonstrations of His love, wis- 
dom and power, is it not strange that we 
should ever withhold Him as the fairest 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 217 

among ten thousand and altogether lovely? 
Surely He that cometh from above, is above 
all. 

Oh, how important it is that we be born 
again that we may see and understand and 
believe in and trust the Son of God for life 
and salvation. 

As Christ taught Nicodemus the necessity 
of being born again, just so it applies to us 
to-day. "He that believeth on the Son hath 
everlasting life; and he that believeth not the 
Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God 
abideth on him." 

To-day many heads are bowed in earnest 
prayer to God for that dear boy or girl, as 
the case may be, that he or she may realize 
the necessity of regeneration. "God sent not 
His Son into the world to condemn the world ; 
but that the world through Him might be 
saved." 

Free salvation is the plan, 

And He died once for all; 
So you and I, though vile we be, 

May at last hear His call, 



218 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

And in our weak, stammering way, 

Confess what we have been 
Through faith in Him, the Lord of lords, 

Become a child of the King. 

A child of the King, the Heavenly King. 

Who is lovely and very fair; 
Who intercedes for millions lost, 

And bids them His mercies share. 

Dear sinner, look to Jesus now, 
Look by faith and ever live; 

He stands ready to receive you, 
His helping hand He'll give. 

Through fiery trials He'll lead the way, 
Your strength He will renew. 
The bread of life He'll freely give, 
And pilot you safely through. 

Though Satan often tempts you, 

And your faith oft-times grows dim; 

But He'll guide you, day by day, 
He'll increase your faith in Him. 

In Him who gave His life for sin, 
And shed His blood for all, 

That we poor sinners, lost in sin, 

Through faith in Him, should never fall. 

Onward, onward make your way — 

The battle ne'er give o'er, 
'Till the victory is won, on brighter day, 

And we reach the golden shore. 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 219 

Where fond hearts will dwell in peace, 
Where goodbyes are never said; 

Where sweet anthems never cease, 
And on God's love, the saints are fed. 

No pain will reach that healthful shore, 
And no tears will bedim our eyes, 

In that mansion He has prepared for us, 
In that land beyond the skies. 




CHAPTER XXXIX. 

Christ and Zacchaeus. 

S Jesus passed through Jericho, there 
was a man there whose name was 
Zacchaeus, who was chief among the 
publicans, and he was rich. 

This rich man was not like the rich man 
who said he would build larger barns and 
take his rest, but He wanted to see Jesus and 
to know who He was. It seemed that there 
were others anxious to see Jesus also. 

We notice that Zacchaeus was little of stat- 
ure, and because of the press, everyone eager 
to catch a glimpse of Jesus, he ran before the 
crowd and climbed up into a sycamore tree, 
for Jesus was to pass that way. 

Do you remember what Jesus said when 
He saw this man's faith? Did He tell him 
to come down from the tree quickly that he 
might fall, as the branches were decayed and 
that his life was endangered? No, but He 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 221 

looked up to him and said, "Zacchaeus, make 
haste and come down ; for to-day I must abide 
at thy house/' 

A very important suggestion is made here 
in reference to Jesus abiding with us in our 
hearts and homes. He said, "I will never 
leave thee, nor forsake thee." And again 
He has promised to abide with us forever. 

If we will let Jesus come into our hearts 
and lives, He will give us sunshine instead of 
shadows, light for darkness, peace for unrest 
and joy for sorrow. If we have been washed 
in the blood of the Lamb, we will desire Jesus 
in our hearts, to give us wisdom, strength 
and faith — to lead us by His spirit to a higher 
and a more consecrated life and make us more 
useful in His service. 

The people murmured when they saw Jesus 
going to the house of Zacchaeus and said 
that he had gone to be the guest of a man 
who was a sinner. But has He not said in His 
word, "I came not to call the righteous, but 
sinners to repentance?" It was a common 
practice of our blessed Master to eat with 



222 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

publicans and sinners. Those who rejected 
Him made the charge that He mixed with 
wine bibbers, but Jesus knew how to go about 
His Father's business, for He said, "They 
that are whole need not a physician, but they 
that are sick." 

This man Zacchaeus not only entertained 
the Christ, but He believed on Him and be- 
came His disciple. 

When I read the precious promises and 
glorious truths in God's word, I feel like lay- 
ing down my pen and singing that grand old 
song: 

"Let me love thee, more and more, 
'Till this fleeting, fleeting life is o'er; 
'Till my soul is lost in love, 
In a brighter, brighter world above." 

O, that we would get anxious to know 
Jesus, so anxious that we would go on the 
mountain peaks or on the house tops, that 
Jesus might pass by, and in passing, might 
overshadow us; that we might touch as it 
were the hem of His garment, through faith, 
and be made whole. 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 223 

With Jesus watching o'er us, 

Then what have we to fear? 
He's promised to protect us, 

So let's be of good cheer. 

Just take Him at His word, my friends, 

He'll guide us safely on, 
Until at last we are called to join 

That great Redeemed throng. 



CHAPTER XL. 
Christ Commendeth the Poor Widow. 

gND He looked up and saw the rich 
men casting their gifts into the treas- 
ury. And He saw also a certain 
poor widow casting in thither two mites; and 
He said, "Of a truth I say unto you, that this 
poor widow hath cast in more than they all." 

This poor widow, you notice, cast in more 
than the rich men that had gold and silver 
at their command, because they had of their 
abundance cast in unto the offerings of God, 
but she of her penury cast in all the living 
that she had. 

This poor woman took God at His word, 
"Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His 
righteousness, and all these things shall be 
added unto you." The food and raiment for 
our bodies will Jesus give us, and strength to 
provide, if we will only trust Him. Like this 
poor widow, take no thought for the mor- 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 225 

row, what we shall eat or drink, or where- 
withal shall we be clothed. 

We are taught in God's word that it is 
more blessed to give than to receive; and we 
are also taught if we give anything, much or 
little, it must be given cheerfully — not grudg- 
ingly; and it appears to me that this widow 
must have been a cheerful giver, and I believe 
she received an hundred fold, yes a thousand 
fold in return. 

We have no account of this woman, 
whether she was a Baptist, Methodist, 
Presbyterian, or what denomination she was, 
but it is clear to my mind, from her deed of 
kindness, that she was a child of the King; 
that she was not a doubting widow, but she 
was a widow indeed — a widow that Christ 
Himself could recommend and feel proud of. 

I believe that such deeds of kindness make 
our Heavenly Father rejoice like the inno- 
cent child at Christmas time, when the pres- 
ents from father and mother are received — 
insignificant as they sometimes are, like the 
poor widow's mite; but when the little sleep- 



226 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

ers awake from their dreams and find the 
little presents strowed around, here and there, 
they know of a truth that it was love that 
prompted such gifts ; and it was love for Jesus 
that prompted this widow to cast in all her 
living. When we have the love of God 
in our hearts we can do all this poor widow 
did and perform deeds of kindness that will 
not only honor the blessed Master, but will 
continue to live when we are gone. 

I believe this poor widow was full of what 
we call "Old Time Religion/' and the poet 
says, "It makes us love everybody," Thank 
God for this Old Time Religion. 

It is not always the great things that count 
most in the sight of God ; and if we can not 
do great things that count most in this world, 
the smallest act of love will be accepted by 
Him who sees and understands the motives 
that prompt us to give, and He will reward 
us accordingly. 

Let us do something for our Lord who has 
done so much for us. May we be encouraged 
by the action of this poor widow to surrender 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 227 

ourselves and all that we have to His care 
and keeping. 

Then on and on He'll lead us. 

Hand in hand we'll go, 
Until at last we'll anchor. 

On that bright and happy shore; 
Where rich and poor, high and low 

Will all together meet, 
And Jesus, in His loving way, 

Will then His children greet. 

Let us strive not for the riches of this 
world but may we be rich toward God, pro- 
viding ourselves bags which wax not old, 
a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, 
where no thief approacheth and where no 
moth nor rust doth corrupt. 

Give something to our Lord, 

Who gave His life for all. 
Give to the poor and needy, 

If at our door they call. 



CHAPTER XLI. 

God's Lordship Over the World 

^^^HE earth is the Lord's, and the ful- 
■ * j ness thereof; the world, and they 
\^*/ that dwell therein." 

Did you ever notice in the Psalmist David's 
writings how he gives God all the praise and 
glory of all things material and spiritual? 
His life is a beautiful example for us to fol- 
low because it is a source of strength to all 
who will undertake to pattern after him. 

David's walk in life was similar to that of 
all men. He did not always find his pathway 
smooth and covered with flowers; there were 
many and serious obstacles thrown in his way. 
Like ourselves, he had enemies, and they 
often pressed him sorely, on the right hand 
and on the left ; they beset his way with many 
darts and many grievous burdens, but through 
prayer and the grace of God, who hath power 
to kill and make alive, — power to stay the 
hand of the enemy, he came out more than 
conqueror in the end. 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 229 

In truth we can say as did David, "The 
earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; 
the world, and they that dwell therein; for 
He hath founded it upon the seas, and estab- 
lished it upon the floods/' 

David asked the question, "who shall as- 
cend into the hill of the Lord, or who shall 
stand in his holy place?'' He also answered 
this great question for us in a few words, 
but let us study closely and see how much 
there is embodied in the answer. "He that 
hath clean hands and a pure heart." Noth- 
ing unclean can enter God's holy place. We 
must have clean hands and a pure heart, or 
we are none of His; and to do this, we must 
put aside all unrighteousness and follow 
where God leads us. 

I would that all could say in all sincerity 
as did the Psalmist David, "The Lord is my 
light and my salvation. The Lord is the 
strength of my life." 

What a precious thought and what a great 
privilege it is that we may call upon the Lord 
in whom there is no guile; and in God's own 



230 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

wise way he has made it possible for us to 
call upon His name at any and all times. 

When the sun is shining in all its splendor, 
or when the clouds gather thickly about us, 
and His listening ear is ready to catch even 
the faintest whisper or petition that we offer, 
let us put on the strength which God gives 
us and make our calling and election sure. 

We are not heard for our much speaking; 
but if we go to Him simply, asking Him to 
teach us and guide us in the way and lead us 
in a plain path, He will strengthen our hearts 
and make open our pathway. 

David did not attempt to fight the enemy 
with the sword, but with prayer, which is the 
weapon of our salvation. 

Blessed is he whose transgression is for- 
given, and whose sin is covered. 

Let us say deep down in our hearts, Hear, 
O Lord, and have mercy upon me; be Thou 
my helper. 

Be thou my helper, Lord, 
O hear my humble prayer; 

Forgive us all our sins, so vain, 
And with our weakness bear. 



CHAPTER XLII. 
Job's Holiness. 

I read of Job in the days of old, 

Who blessed the Lord for saving His soul. 

I also read of his religious care 

Over his children, who were called very fair. 

I read of his trouble in many a way, 
That reminds me so much of people to-day; 
If one goes to God for counsel and advice, 
Satan will come too, with his cunning device. 

All that Job had, was to Satan delivered 

By the hand of the Lord, the maker and giver. 

Though his household had all been slain, 

And his grief was great, yet he did not complain. 

We read of Job's holiness in time of trouble, 
And how his enemies were only a bubble. 
His mantle he rent, his head he shaved, 
And worshiped the God that was able to save. 

Again Satan came with the sons of God, 
To present himself — does this seem odd? 
The Lord gave him leave, Job to afflict, 
But he didn't curse God, as Satan did predict. 



232 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

From the sole of his foot to the crown of his head 
He afflicted poor Job, then left him as dead; 
And the wife of his bosom moaned the sad cry, 
And asked poor Job to curse God and die. 

We hear Job speak as one that was wise, 
Although by Satan he had been chastised; 
But with his pure life, not once did he sin, 
But reproved all that came to try to tempt him. 

Job's friends came to mourn and to weep, 

For the appointment made they felt bound to 

keep. 
They sat down with him on the bare ground, 
For seven long days, to him they were bound. 

Not a word was spoken to this man of old, 
While there they sat upon the ground so cold. 
I love to read of his patience, faith and love 
In the Redeemer who sits on His throne above. 

In agony he speaks these words true and kind; 
"Though He slay me, yet will I trust in him," 

O faith divine! 
A faith so strong, that will not fail, 
Though all the powers of Satan assail. 

While sorely afflicted, he saw by faith a home, 
Where weary, heavy laden souls, ne'er will roam. 
O sinner, will you look by faith and see 
The loving Christ, who died for thee? 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 233 

Though Job's face was foul with weeping, 
And on his eyelids the shadow of death creeping; 
In under tones we hear him sighing, 
But on God's word, he was still relying. 

O that we, like Job, may find our God, 
And be submissive to His chastening rod. 
In just a few more days, then we'll sojourn, 
To a land from whence we'll never return. 



CHAPTER XLIII. 

The Godly Profess Their Confidence in 
God. 

aNTO thee lift I up mine eyes, O 
thou that dwellest in the heavens/' 
Every Christian can readily voice 
David's words when he said, "Unto thee lift 
I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the 
heavens." 

We can truthfully say, who can we lift up 
our eyes to, but unto Him that dwelleth in 
the heavens? There is none other able to 
apply the healing balm to our sin-sick souls, 
nor to deliver us from the power of sin and 
Satan. 

Is it not a glorious thought that though 
our sins be as scarlet, He that dwelleth 
in the heavens can make them white as 
snow, if we will but lift up our eyes and 
hearts in prayer to Him that is able to save 
to the uttermost all who will come unto God 
by Him. It is a thought that thrills my soul 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 235 

and fills my whole being with new life and 
renewed energy. On one occasion, when the 
disciples were in the ship in the midst of the 
sea, tossed with the waves, we have a beauti- 
ful illustration of Peter's confidence in God. 
These disciples saw in the distance some one 
walking on the water, and it frightened them 
and made them cry out for fear. They did 
not recognize Jesus, it being the fourth watch 
of the night. But soon their fears were dis- 
pelled, for they heard the voice of Jesus, 
speaking in that sweet and gentle tone, "Be of 
good cheer, it is I; be not afraid." 

I fancy I can see Peter throwing up his 
hands and shouting for joy when he heard 
the Good Shepherd's voice. They were in 
the midst of the sea and thought, perhaps, 
all would be drowned and lost beneath the 
surging waves; but Jesus appeared just in 
time to rescue them. 

Peter cried out, "Lord, if it be thou, bid 
me come unto thee on the water." And Peter 
heard this sweet invitation, "Come." Though 
the winds were contrary, Peter launched out 
upon the deep. 



236 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

So I say to the poor, tempest-tossed sinner 
of to-day who knows not Jesus in the free 
pardon of sin, launch out, accept the invita- 
tion of our blessed Saviour when He says 
"Come." "The spirit and the bride say come, 
and whosoever will, let him take the water 
of life freely." We will find the outstretched 
arms of Jesus ready to receive us, and He 
will bring us in safely to the shores of sal- 
vation. 

As the eyes of servants look unto the hand 
of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden 
unto the hand of her mistress, so our eyes 
wait upon the Lord — for His word tells us, 
"They that wait upon the Lord, shall renew 
their strength." Yes, our Lord that dwells 
in the heavens, will abundantly bless those 
that love and fear Him. 

We see in almost every chapter of the 
Psalms proof of David's faith in God; and 
when I read of those who are faithful and of 
those who put their trust in Him, I am more 
and more encouraged to obey Him and follow 
in His footsteps. 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 237 

David said, "In my distress I cried unto 
the Lord, and he heard me." Yes, many can 
repeat the same words — He has heard my 
prayer and my suplications, and delivered my 
soul out of its troubles, 

I can truthfully say, as did the Psalmist, 
"Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord; 
that walketh in his ways." 

Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, 

To my Redeemer in the skies, 

That saved my soul from sin and death, 

That I might praise Him with each breath. 

Lord, help us, as we journey here, 
From some dim eye to wipe a tear; 
And point some soul to Him who dwells 
In heaven, where joys, no tongue can tell. 

Lord, help each poor, benighted soul 
To thee their sins all to unfold; 
That they may trust in Him who dwells 
In heaven, and doeth all things well. 

Lord, help us all this heaven to gain, 
And trust the Lamb, for sinners slain; 
As one by one, we are taken away, 
May we be found in the narrow way. 



CHAPTER XLIV. 

Forgiveness. 

^^^^HEN came Peter to him, and said, 
fl J Lord, how oft shall my brother sin 

^^^^ against me, and I forgive him? Till 
seven times ?" 

The Lord's answer was, "I say not unto 
thee, until seven times, but until seventy times 
seven." 

"Seventy times seven" — that it four hun- 
dred and ninety times, and then as many 
times beyond four hundred and ninety times 
as the brother may sin and ask forgiveness; 
this is the meaning of our Saviour. 

How it should make us shudder and trem- 
ble when we remember our weakness and 
our inhumanity to man; and our stubborn 
wills that so constantly rebel against God's 
will. 

We often say, in order to excuse ourselves, 
"It is not human nature to do so and so," 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 239 

though it is a plain command of God that we 
should do the thing pointed out to us. But 
we must remember that we are to put off the 
old man with his deeds and follow the new 
man, because we are new creatures in Christ 
Jesus. 

Let us look closely to this law of forgive- 
ness. We frequently hear people say, "I am 
willing to forgive my brother, if he will come 
to me and ask me to forgive him." The real 
meaning of this is, "If he will come and hum- 
ble himself before me, I will forgive him/' 
This is far from the law of forgiveness. 

Listen: "If thou bring thy gift to the 
altar, and there rememberest that thy brother 
hath ought against thee, leave there thy gift 
before the altar and go thy way; first be rec- 
onciled to thy brother, and then come and 
offer thy gift." Remember the obligation is 
upon you to hunt up your brother and be 
reconciled to him, whether he comes to you 
or not. There is no other way to fulfill the 
law of forgiveness. "If ye forgive not men 
their trespasses, neither will your Father for- 
give your trespasses." 



2 4 o VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

"Therefore is the kingdom of heaven lik- 
ened unto a certain king, which would take 
account of his servants. " 

When this king had begun to reckon, one 
servant was brought to him who owed him 
ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he 
had nothing with which to pay, his lord com- 
manded him to be sold, and his wife and chil- 
dren, and all that he had, and payment to be 
made. 

I believe this man was an honest servant, 
for he was not excited to anger by the hard 
penalty of his lord, but he fell down and 
pleaded with him, saying, "Lord, have pa- 
tience with me, and I will pay thee all." 

Think of that servant, his wife and chil- 
dren to be sold — he was to be separated from 
those he loved dearer than his own life. I 
fancy I can see him crouching down at the 
feet of his lord praying for more time and 
for more mercy and pity in his sad condition ; 
and his lord was moved with compassion, and 
loosed him, and forgave him the debt — yes, 
forgave him all. 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 241 

s 

What a beautiful lesson this teaches us. 
If this lord forgave his servant the debt be- 
cause the servant humbled himself in prayer, 
so our Heavenly Father is much more willing 
to forgive us all our sins when we come to 
Him in an humble, child-like manner, asking 
for the desires of our hearts. 

Did it ever occur to you that we do not 
have to study a lifetime to give our hearts 
to God? And that the unlearned, as well as 
the learned, can come to God and be saved 
in the same way? Jesus knows it all, better 
than we can tell Him; it is humbleness and 
willingness on our part to be led by His strong 
arm into the ways of salvation. We should 
be solely consecrated to His will, in all His 
commands. I can not help repeating from 
that dear old song: 

"Take my life and let it be 
Consecrated, Lord to thee/' 

But let us see how w r icked this servant was 
after he was treated so well. He took one 
of his fellow servants and failed to remem- 



242 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

ber the kind treatment he had received at the 
hands of his lord. 

Lord help us, each one, to forgive, 
That we, thy servants, may humbly live; 
That we may feel God's cleansing power, 
And be saved in each trying hour. 

May Pentecostal showers swell 
Our love to God, where'er we dwell; 
And may our sins, though many they be, 
Be washed in the blood shed for me. 



CHAPTER XLV. 

Samuel's Prayer for Israel. 

\?^**^HE Lord permitted the Philistines to 
fl J sorely afflict Israel. He used them 

^toiLi w to chastise Israel for their wayward- 
ness and for their sins. Samuel was God's 
prophet and became a great mediator between 
Israel and her enemies. 

The thought of the subject before us is the 
plea that Israel made for Samuel to pray for 
their deliverance from the Philistines. Sam- 
uel was not only Israel's prophet, but he was 
their interpreter and their intercessor with all 
their enemies. They were at this time sorely 
afflicted by the Philistines and they prayed 
for deliverance. Samuel stood, in a measure, 
to Israel like Jesus Christ stands to us — He 
is our Mediator and Intercessor. 

So in the name and fear of God, if w r e 
have been washed in the blood of the Lamb, 
if we stand before God with clean hands and 



244 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

a pure heart, we will cease not to cry unto 
our God to spare the unsaved and deliver 
them from the snare and power of Satan ; for 
Satan comes to all in many deceptive ways 
and even represents himself as an angel of 
light, that he may deceive the very elect. 
His mission in the world is to deceive men 
and women. He started on his mission in 
the Garden of Eden and he has kept up his 
work from that day until now. He is rep- 
resented as going up and down the earth seek- 
ing whom he may devour. He pours into 
our cups the wine of deceit and sends such 
temptations as will damn the souls of men 
and women. 

Hear the cries of the Israelites and the 
prompt response of Samuel. Though the 
enemy was near, perhaps many in number, 
the power of Samuel overcame them. Sam- 
uel's God was with him, so one could chase 
a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight. 
I say to all that there is no other way given 
by which we can come out victorious except 
to accept Christ as our Saviour and follow 
His commands. 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 245 

Samuel spoke to the house of Israel saying, 
"If ye do return unto the Lord with all your 

hearts, then put away the strange gods from 
among you, and prepare your hearts unto the 
Lord and serve him only; and he will deliver 
you out of the hand of the Philistines." 

And to-day there is no way by which we 
can be saved from the enemy of our souls ex- 
cept to get our hearts right with God and 
walk in the path our Saviour has pointed out 
for us to go. Serve the God who is able to 
deliver and able to rescue the perishing and 
we shall be blessed. 

I believe that Samuel's heart was full of 
pity for these people for he said, "Gather all 
Israel to Mizpeh and I will pray for you unto 
the Lord." But as they assembled for prayer 
the enemy came, the lords of the Philistines 
gathered too, but the Lord of heaven and 
earth heard the prayers of Samuel. The 
Israelites, on hearing that the lords of the 
Philistines had assembled against them, were 
afraid and they again entreated Samuel to cry 
unto the Lord for them. 



246 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

This scripture does not tell us how Samuel 
prayed — whether his prayer was long or 
short, but I am sure it was earnest and full 
of faith, for the enemy was smitten before 
Israel on that day. 

If God is for us who can be against us? 
The winds and the w T aves obey our God and 
if we surrender all to His keeping, if we 
make our wants known to Him, He is as able 
to rescue us as He was the Israelites. 

Can we not raise our Ebenezer and say, as 
did Samuel, the Lord has helped us. If we 
would do this, what a glorious time would 
follow — light would spring up and joy and 
gladness would reign supreme in our souls. 
Yes, the joys of salvation would be restored 
unto us and peace would fill our hearts. Let 
us, therefore, return unto the Lord and ren- 
der unto Him a consecrated life. 

Never in my life have I felt myself as 
powerless and dependent upon God as I have 
in the last three years; yet I have never en- 
joyed such blessings and felt the arm of the 
Lord around my weak and powerless frame 
as I have in these three years of my life; 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 247 

and I can repeat the words of Job, "Though 
he slay me, yet will I trust in him." 

Thank God I can truthfully say I know 
that Jesus reigns supreme in my heart; His 
love is the light of my life and His goodness 
and mercy is from everlasting to everlasting. 

We are told that Samuel built an altar 
unto the Lord and when he was old he made 
his sons judges over Israel. But they did not 
please the people neither did they walk in 
the footsteps of their father, but turned aside 
after gain and perverted judgment. 

But the people raised their voices against 
them and said, "Make us a king to judge us 
like all the nations." 

When Samuel heard this he was displeased ; 
yet he prayed unto the Lord and He heard 
his prayers and the Lord told Samuel to 
hearken to the voice of the people in all they 
said to him; for added He, "They have not 
rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that 
I should not reign over them." 

And when we in our weak way try to point 
those about us to the Lamb of God which 
taketh away the sin of the world and they 



248 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

laugh us to scorn, saying "Go thy way this 
time, when I need you I will let you know," 
they are not rejecting you nor I, but they 
are rejecting the Saviour of the world; and 
if they reject Him, there will come a time 
when the Lord will reject them. He has 
said, "He that rejecteth me and receiveth not 
my words, hath one that judge th him; the 
word that I have spoken, the same shall judge 
him in the last day." 

The people refused to obey Samuel not- 
withstanding when they were in trouble they 
came to him in great numbers ; but after their 
prayers were heard and answered and they 
felt a sense of relief, they forgot their de- 
pendence on God and turned to other gods. 

How often do we see people upon beds of 
affliction and their bodies racked with pain, 
turn their faces heavenward and say, "If 
Jesus will smite this disease that is preying 
upon me, the remainder of my life shall be 
given unto the Lord." But wdien we are 
better, we often forget our promise to the 
Great Physician and turn aside as did the 
Israelites. 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 249 

The people in the days of Samuel wanted 
a king that would go out before them and 
fight their battles for them. And to-day we 
have presented to us a King that will go be- 
fore us and fight our battles for us, if we 
will only put our trust in Him and look to 
Him as the nuthor and finisher of our faith. 

Let us rehearse all we have done in the 
past in the ears of the Lord and make new 
resolutions to be led by the Spirit of God. 
Let us wait upon the Lord and He will renew 
our strength and will give us a clean heart, 
as He did Saul in the days of long ago; and 
the King that shall reign over all nations will 
not hide Himself from us as did Saul when 
he was appointed King. When we cry unto 
Him, Lie will draw near. 

Can we not accept this King as our King? 
Allow Him to fight our battles and accept the 
invitation to the table of the great King, 
where He Himself in all His beauty will serve 
us? This King is the King of peace and 
glory — the King of kings and Lord of lords. 
We must hide ourselves behind the cross and 



250 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

glory in nothing save Jesus Christ and Him 
crucified. 

There is no earthly king or ruler that can 
give us admittance into the kingdom of 
heaven. It has pleased the Lord to make us 
His people, and we must fear Him with a 
godly fear and serve Him in spirit and in 
truth, considering what great things He has 
done for us. 

I trust not one will get weary in well-do- 
ing and turn aside from the straight and nar- 
row way because the time seems long, but 
press onward and upward to victory. 

If we really are seeking the Lord or if we 
are trying to serve Him aright, we will not 
pause long on the threshold, but our cries to 
God, like the Israelites' cries to Samuel, will 
be numerous. Serving God is "not by might, 
nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the 
Lord." We must humble ourselves before 
God and He will show us what to do. He 
will open up the way before us and lead us 
in the paths of truth and right. 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 251 

Cease not to cry each day 

To God who rules above; 
That He will take the wanderer, 

Unto Himself, in love. 

That He will save the erring ones, 

Though sinful we may be; 
That we may anchor safe at last, 

Beyond the Crystal Sea. 

His face I long to see; 

His hand I long to hold; 
A child of the King I shall ever be, 

And share His love untold. 




CHAPTER XLV1. 

How to Attain Eternal Life. 

ND, behold, one came and said unto 
him, Good Master, what good thing 
shall I do, that I may have eternal 
life?" 

No doubt this young man was very much 
interested and really wanted to do something 
that the Master would have him do. 

The Good Master, as he called Him, said 
to the young man, "Why callest thou me 
good? There is none good but one, this is, 
God; but if thou wilt enter into life, keep 
the commandments. " 

From what follows it seems that the young 
man did not quite understand and he said to 
Jesus, "Which?" And after Jesus had enum- 
erated several of the commandments the 
young man said, "All these things have I kept 
from my youth up; what lack I yet?" 

This rich young man showed openly that 
he was anxious and he continued to put his 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 253 

questions about eternal life ; and it seems to 
me that this man's persistence ought to en- 
courage some of us in going to God often, 
asking for the blessings we most desire. 

But there was still something lacking and 
Jesus said to him, "If thou wilt be perfect, 
go sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, 
and thou shalt have treasure in heaven, and 
come and follow me/' It took this to make 
the young man perfect. Notwithstanding his 
wealth I am quite willing to believe that he 
had lived creditably, but this alone does not 
reach up to eternal life. 

Jesus said to this young man, "Come 
and follow me." He wanted this man to 
follow Him, as He does you and I — not like 
Peter did, afar off, but follow in His foot- 
steps, administering to the sick, helping the 
poor, lifting up the fallen, trying in every 
way to sow the seed of forgiveness in every 
heart and life; giving, if it is all we have to 
give, a cup of cold water to those that are 
thirsty and care-worn. Just give it in Jesus' 
name and He will reward us, for He has said 
so in His word. 



254 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

"If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou 
hast, and give to the poor." But the young 
man didn't do this and he showed that he did 
not love his Lord with all his heart. It would 
seem that he was not nearly so good as he 
seemed to be at first for he was not willing 
to give up everything — his great possessions, 
for the sake of Christ; but let me say to you 
this is eternal life. Let us say in all sincer- 
ity, "Lord, I give up all for thee." And if 
we give up all for Christ, we get all. 

Christ tested this young man's sincerity 
and he was found wanting in goodness. Let 
us break loose from the world and its pleas- 
ures and lay hold upon eternal life, for sooner 
or later death will come and dispossess us of 
all our earthly goods and usher us into eter- 
nity. 

When the young man heard the saying of 
Jesus in reference to selling his possessions 
and giving to the poor, "He went away sor- 
rowful" and there is no mention made that 
he ever came back. 

May the Lord help us to do whatever He 
would have us do. May we not wander far 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 255 

away from God; but may we, through prayer 
and faith, follow in the path that leads to the 
home above. 

Ofttimes we feel it hard to give up the world 
and its pleasures, but let us not do as this 
rich young man did and go away into dark- 
ness and death; but if we will tell Christ that 
it is beyond our own strength to give up the 
world, He will help us do this and will take 
us unto Himself. To know Him is life eternal, 
and he only that hath the Son of God hath 
life. 

To be accepted of Christ, we must put aside 
mere formality in religion and make our spir- 
ituality and consecration known, for every 
good and perfect gift is from above and 
cometh down from the Father of light, with 
whom there is no variableness, neither shadow 
of turning. If we ask in faith, we shall re- 
ceive the things desired or asked for. 

One scripture tells us, "Ye are the light of 
the world. A city that is set on an hill can 
not be hid." No, if we have the love of God 
in our souls we can't hide its light, nor do we 



256 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

want to hide it, but we want to tell to sinners 
what a precious Saviour we have found. 

I had a letter from a friend not long since 
and in closing she said, "Let me hear from 
you on and on/' So I say, let us pray on 
and on that we may attain unto eternal life. 

The young man we have had under con- 
sideration in this chapter never did a more 
manly thing than when he sought the way 
of eternal life; but he was not faithful unto 
the end and therefore went away sorrowful 
and lost all. 

May we not turn from life away, 
From the path of truth and right; 

But may we all our fears allay 

While walking in God's precious light. 



CHAPTER XLVII. 
Paul's Prayer for Israel. 

QAUL said, "Brethren, my heart's de- 
sire and prayer to God for Israel is, 
that they might be saved." 

The meaning of Paul no doubt is that all 
Israel might be saved through the Lord Jesus 
Christ, and not only Israel as a nation, but 
that all men, of every nation and kingdom, 
might learn of Jesus and through Him might 
find everlasting life. 

We are in a land of Bibles, our nation is 
filled with churches and ministers who are 
able and efficient, but there is a lacking on 
the part of the individual in accepting Christ 
upon the terms of the gospel. 

The Bible tells us, "With the heart man 
believeth unto righteousness; and with the 
mouth confession is made unto salvation." 
Can we not believe that Christ is the Saviour 
of the world and confess Him with our 



258 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

mouths? If we confess with our mouths the 
Lord Jesus and believe in our hearts that 
God has raised Him from the dead, the prom- 
ise is, "We shall be saved." 

It makes no difference where we are, or 
what our vocation in life is, or whether there 
is a revival in our midst, if we will go to 
Christ He will accept us and save us from 
our sins. 

Esaias said to Israel, "All day long I have 
stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient 
and gainsaying people." 

Perhaps some of our ministers could re- 
peat the words of the Prophet when they 
stand before a gainsaying people, warning 
them to flee from the wrath to come, entreat- 
ing them, with tears in their eyes and the 
word of God on their lips, to accept Jesus as 
their Saviour, yet men and women will say 
"Go thy way, at a more convenient season I 
will call for thee." 

That convenient season may never come. 
Death is abroad in the land and he is no re- 
specter of persons. He comes to the old and 
the young, the high and the low, and cuts 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 259 

them down prepared or unprepared. What 
an awful thing it is for a living soul all stained 
with sin to pass into eternity. But it is not 
the will of the Father that any should perish, 
but that all should come to repentance. 

I don't wonder that Paul wept over the 
condition of Israel. It is enough to soften 
the heart of a stone to think how many are 
lost in sin and are indifferent to their soul's 
salvation. 

We should always be encouraged to pray, 
though we know not what to pray for as we 
ought, but the Spirit itself maketh interces- 
sion for us with groanings which can not be 
uttered. 

While we are on praying grounds and 
pleading terms with Him who sits upon the 
throne, let us be filled with the Spirit and 
exercise a living faith that God would be 
merciful to a lost and ruined race. And 
though they be rebellious, let us pray that 
they may escape the storm of God's wrath 
and not cry for the rocks and mountains to 
fall on them to hide them from the face of 
Him that sitteth upon the throne. 



26o VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

Paul said he was "Not ashamed of the 
gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God 
unto salvation to every one that believeth." 
I thank God for this gospel of power and for 
its triumph in the world and promise of over- 
coming the kingdoms of this world. 

Paul, in another place, exhorts us to pray 
without ceasing and I believe he did, for when 
he was thrust into the inner prison he contin- 
ued to sing and pray just as if nothing had 
happened, communing with God and relying 
upon His promises. Though we be cast into 
prison, let us trust God through all of our 
trials and persecutions and sing the songs of 
Zion and pray the prayer that Jesus did — 
"Father, forgive them, for they know not 
what they do." 

Pray on, fight on, though storms arise, 

And billows roll beneath, 
The beckoning hand of Jesus Christ 

To you in love will reach, 
And lead you o'er the rugged way, 
From paths of sin, to eternal day. 



CHAPTER XLVIII. 
The Rich and the Poor. 

OUR Saviour very clearly defines our 
relationship with both the rich and 
the poor. We are not to despise a 
rich man because he is rich, nor to scorn a 
poor man because he is poor. However, the 
neglect of the poor is one of the common sins 
of this and all other ages. God's rebuke for 
the neglect of the poor is one of the severest 
He has ever given in His word. 

"If there come unto your assembly a man 
with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there 
come in also a poor man in vile raiment, and 
ye have respect to him that weareth the gay 
clothing and say unto him, sit thou here in 
a good place; and say to the poor stand thou 
there, or sit here under my footstool/' our 
Saviour tells us we would commit a great sin. 
We would be denounced as partial, high-mind- 
ed and neglectful of our obligations to the 



262 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

needy and helpless. The sparkling diamond, 
the gaudy vesture and the fascinating costume 
is not to be considered when we come to be 
followers of the Master. Jesus never con- 
siders the apparel, but looks upon the heart. 

Has not God chosen the poor of this world, 
rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which 
He has promised to them that love him? 

The more I read God's word, the less I am 
surprised when it is said, "Narrow is the way, 
and few there be that find it." 

We notice that God's word says if we of- 
fend in one point we are guilty of all. We 
can not serve God and mammon ; we must be 
for God and God alone. We can not serve 
Him with our lips and allow our hearts to be 
far from Him. Render unto Caesar the things 
that are Caesar's, and unto God the things that 
are God's, will always be God's decree for all 
men and for all time. 

When we look around and see the power 
of God, we know of a truth He can thrust in 
the sickle of death into the wealthiest home 
in all this world; or He can claim for His 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 263 

own the poorest man or woman that walks 
the earth. 

Sometimes we look over the morning 
paper and see written in large letters such 
and such a one is claimed by death; and 
sometimes we say that man or woman, as the 
case may be, has heaped up gold and silver, 
has lived in luxury and so far as the natural 
eye can see this person's life has not been 
one of contest, but it has been one of ease. 
Strong, vigorous and apparently in the bloom 
of life, it is sad that such a one should be 
cut down and that another should reap his 
wealth and share in its glory. We should 
never again utter these words, but let us be 
careful of our lives and when the angel of 
death does come and takes the dear one from 
the family circle, may we be able to put our 
trust in the blessed Son of God, who died for 
the rich and poor alike, that He may give us 
comfort in dark days of sorrow. 

Jesus knows our nature, He knows that 
life is just as sweet to the poor as it is to the 
rich. The feelings of the poor are just as 
easily wounded as are the rich. Let us ever 



264 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

speak a kind word to the poor, and as God 
has prospered us, let us give of our means, 
for we are taught in God's word "He that 
hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the 
Lord; and that which he hath given will he 
pay him again." If we say, "Be ye warmed 
and fed" and give not those things needful 
to the body, do we not make a mock of our 
holy religion and dishonor the name of our 
blessed Master? 

Let us ever demonstrate that Samaritan 
religion that our Master gave us, concerning 
the poor man who fell among thieves on his 
way from Jerusalem to Jericho. 

We read in God's word "That faith with- 
out works is dead." 

Being benevolent to the poor is on the same 
line as foreign missions. Sometimes we hear 
people say "I don't mean to put my money 
into the work of foreign missions," and when 
you ask them why, they will say, "Because in 
God's own good time He will send the gospel 
to the heathen." And sometimes I think we 
have reached the conclusion that God will ad- 
minister to the poor in His own good time. 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 265 

Some may say, "there's no use for me to 
take what I have earned and give it to the 
poor." But for every wound there is a balm, 
Read the Golden Rule, stop on your way and 
think — imagine the cold wind howling around 
them and no wood to build a fire, no bed to 
rest upon and no food in the house. In the 
midst of all this comes the healing balm, "Do 
unto others as you would have them do unto 
you;" then you will have faith with works 
and can show to the world the doctrine that 
faith works with works, and by works was 
faith made perfect. 

Did you ever go on a picnic with seventy- 
five or a hundred little tots that for months 
had been cooped up in a city with practically 
no outlet? They enjoy the trip, the good 
things to eat, the cool water, the beautiful 
scenery, and everything is a source of pleas- 
ure to them; and can you look into the faces 
of these happy children, though your step is 
slow and your voice feeble, without being 
happy too? A smile will light up your face 
and you will exclaim, "I am happy just to see 
you enjoy all." 



266 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

Do you know our blessed Saviour feels just 
that way. The more we enjoy and the more 
we partake of what He has in store for us, 
the happier He is and brighter will be the 
smile that plays on His sunny face. Drink 
each day of God's blessings as He would have 
us do, and let it be known to the world that 
we have been with Jesus. 

In our weakness sometimes we exclaim, 
"My burdens are greater than I can bear," 
but our loving Saviour bids us to cast all our 
burdens on Him who said, "Come unto me 
all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I 
will give you rest." 

Our cares and burdens He will bear, 
His love and mercy we may share, 
If we will but His voice obey 
O come dear sinner, don't delay. 

Our days are swiftly passing away, 
And death may call us ere another day; 
And with his sickle cut us down, 
And lay our bodies beneath the ground. 

From dust we came, to dust we return, 
In silence we'll sleep within the tomb, 
Until we hear the trumpet sound, 
Awake, ye nations, under ground. 



CHAPTER XLIX. 

The Uncertainty of Life. 

^^^^HE uncertainty of life is written 
■ J upon the world's page; it shines 

^^^^ upon the brightest day and seeks for 
room in the darkest hour. It leaves its mark 
in early morning and at the noonday hour; 
it comes unbidden and leaves its message at 
twilight's gate. 

It marks the brow of the wrinkled face, 
And stops to chill manhood's power. 
It blights the bloom on the baby's face, 
Nor quits its work on the ruined race. 

"Man that is born of woman is of few days 
and full of trouble. He cometh forth like a 
flower, and is cut down; he fleeth also as a 
shadow and continueth not." We know not 
the day nor the hour the summons may come 
to us — it may come as a thief in the night 
and find us unprepared to meet our God. 

The uncertainty of life and the certainty 



268 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

of death is as clearly written in the provi- 
dences of God as are the fixed stars of the 
material universe. We know not what a day 
nor an hour may bring forth, therefore we 
shoud live in such a way as to be prepared 
to meet the summons when it comes. 

"See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. 
For if they escaped not who refused him that 
spake on earth, much more shall not we es- 
cape, if we turn away from him that speak- 
eth from heaven." 

The apostle tells us, "Ye ask, and receive 
not, because ye ask amiss. Know ye not that 
the friendship of the world is enmity with 
God?" 

We are also told that whosoever will be 
a friend of the world is the enemy of God. 

This passage of scripture brings to my 
mind a song I used to sing before sorrow 
filled my life — the words were these : 

"How sin and Satan did agree, 
To land my soul in misery." 

I know that sin and Satan are still walking 
hand in hand and have long since agreed to 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 269 

be partners and co-workers in the destruc- 
tion of souls of men and women. 

I sometimes greatly wonder why people are 
so filled with sin and Satan. Can we recall 
a single instance of a good deed Satan has 
ever done? Can we remember a single in- 
stance where men and women sowed to the 
flesh that did not reap corruption? 

Satan comes to us as one having authority 
and power. He has oftentimes sought to 
map out our pathway as the only route we 
can travel without difficulties. We should 
ever watch him as a deceiver and never allow 
him to place his snares across our pathway 
nor blind us in his allurements and devices. 

Let me relate an incident : A poor soldier 
lay wounded on the battlefield and the Chap- 
lain, thinking his condition to be serious, said 
to him, "Would you like for me to read you 
something from the Bible?" But all the 
wounded man could answer was, "I am so 
thirsty, I would rather have a drink of 
water." Then when the Chaplain had quickly 
given him water, the soldier asked that some- 
thing be placed under his head. Then the 



270 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

Chaplain pulled off his overcoat and placed 
it under his head. Now said the soldier, "If 
I only had something over me, I am so cold." 
In a moment the Chaplain had taken off his 
dress coat to cover him and as he was doing 
so the dying man looked up into his face and 
said, "If there is anything in your Book which 
makes a man do for another what you have 
done for me, let me hear it." 

And if Satan has ever done a good deed 
for you or your friends, let me hear it. 

We have no record of the Chaplain's life, 
except his actions in this one case, but this 
deed will live on through ages as one guided 
by the Spirit of God; and when he enters the 
Golden Gate perhaps this soldier will be the 
first to greet him on the golden shore. 

Let us do good unto all men as God shall 
open to us the door of opportunity. Speak 
not evil one of another, for there is one law 
giver who is able to save or to destroy. 

We often say, "Tomorrow, or at some fu- 
ture time, I will do this or that." We know 
not what the morrow may bring forth. The 
great question to be put to each individual 



VISIONS OF THE KIXGDOM. 271 

heart is, '''What is your life? Is not the life 
more than meat and the body than raiment?" 

When we think of the uncertainty of life 
and the certainty of death, the solemn ques- 
tion should be — what of the soul, when the 
end shall come? 

Let us listen to the gentle wooings of God's 
Holy Spirit and commit ourselves into the 
hands of Him who is able to keep that which 
we have committed unto Him against that 
day. 

Let us be faithful followers of Jesus Christ, 
for all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of 
man is as the flower of the field. 

Sometimes we go to our rose bower, and 
on our favorite rose bush hangs the most 
beautiful flower our eyes ever beheld. To- 
morrow we go back and what greets our 
eyes? Nothing but the withered rose, fallen 
down upon the earth from whence it grew, 
unsightly and a useless wreck. Just so with 
mortal man. To-day we may be in the 
bloom of health — tomorrow a fallen and 
withered leaf cast upon the earth, a helpless 
corpse. 



272 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

I once read of two boys who were discuss- 
ing a trip that one boy knew would displease 
his father. Finally the other boy said, 
"Johnnie, I would go if I were you, your 
father need not know it." Johnnie answered 
most emphatically, "I can't go, for after I 
had been there, I could not look father in the 
face, but I can now." This boy gained a vic- 
tory and deserved to wear a crown of glitter- 
ing stars. 

What we need in our day is boys who can 
look their fathers in the face and say with 
the deep consciousness of integrity, "Father, 
I did not go." We need boys in these mod- 
ern days of dissipation to lay hold on the first 
commandment with promise, "Honor thy 
father and mother that it may be well with 
thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth." 

Let us look our Heavenly Father in the 
face and say, "Thy kingdom come. Thy will 
be done, as in heaven, so in earth." 

Jesus will stand at the entrance, 
To welcome His children in; 

For the blood He shed on Calvary, 
Has cleansed our souls from sin. 



CHAPTER L. 

Christ Preacheth Repentance. 

^^^5^ HERE is no subject in God's word 
ff j that has been emphasized more than 

^^^r that of Repentance, and it should 
receive our most profound consideration. 

John the Baptist, whose mission was to 
make ready a people for the coming of Christ, 
who was to unfold His own Kingdom in the 
earth, said, "Repent ye, for the kingdom of 
heaven is at hand." 

When Jesus returned from His interview 
with the devil on the mountain, the first 
words that fell from His lips were, "Repent 
ye, and believe the gospel." 

When Christ sent out the twelve and sev- 
enty disciples He said, "Go preach repentance 
for the remission of sins." 

When the Master was giving heaven's view 
of the lost in earth He said, "Likewise joy 
shall be in heaven over one sinner that re- 



274 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

penteth, more than over ninety and nine just 
persons which need no repentance/' 

When Dives, in hell, was making an argu- 
ment with Abraham why he should send 
Lazarus back to earth he said, "Nay, father 
Abraham, but if one went unto them from 
the dead, they will repent. " 

So we see that John preached it, the Sav- 
iour taught it, He commanded His disciples 
to preach it, heaven recognized it and hell 
confessed to it; so the sum of all these facts 
makes repentance very important and there 
is no way to reach the kingdom of God with- 
out repentance toward God and faith in our 
Lord Jesus Christ. 

Again Jesus said, "Woe unto thee, Chora- 
zin! Woe unto thee, Bethsaida! For if the 
mighty works, which were done in you, had 
been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would 
have repented long ago in sackcloth and 
ashes." 

Let us notice the parable of the fig tree. 
Though it was tall and stately and put forth 
its leaves in season, and occupied as much 
ground as any other tree, still it was barren. 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 275 

We notice the owner of the fig tree came 
for three years, seeking fruit, but finding none, 
he ordered the man who cared for his vine- 
yard to cut it down. But the dresser of 
the vineyard said, "Lord, let it alone this year 
also, till I shall dig about it," and perhaps he 
intended to prune its branches and spray its 
roots, if necessary, and make it fruitful. 

Just as the dresser of this vineyard made 
appeal for the barren fig tree, so Jesus is 
pleading with the Father to spare us a little 
longer until the Holy Spirit woos and wins 
us unto the Father. 

"God works in mysterious ways, 

His wonders to perform; 
He plants His footsteps on the sea, 

And rides upon the storm. " 

Jesus was teaching on the Sabbath day 
and there was a woman which had an infirm- 
ity eighteen years and was bowed together 
and could in no wise lift up herself ; but Jesus 
looked upon her with pity and said, "Woman, 
thou art loosed from thine infirmity," and 
he laid His hands on her and immediately she 
was made straight and glorified God. 



276 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

Dear reader, do you not want Jesus' pre- 
cious hands to be laid gently on your head — 
hands that bear the prints of the nails that 
pinned Him fast to the rugged cross — hands 
that have lifted up the fallen and helpless, and > 
loose you from the bondage of sin and death 
that you, like this woman, can praise God? 

Perhaps sin has bound you eighteen years, 
yet His grace is sufficient for you. If you 
are bound down with sin, the blood of Christ 
can cleanse you from all sin and iniquity and 
make you whiter than snow. 

We notice in God's word that one said 
unto Jesus, "Lord, are there few that be 
saved?" Jesus' answer was: "Strive to enter 
in at the straight gate, for many, I say unto 
vou, will seek to enter in, and shall not be 
able." 

Some one may say, "I thought that Christ 
came to save all men from their sins." So 
He did, but He has spared our lives and 
worked about our hearts with longsuffering 
and kindness, saying to us, "Son or daughter, 
give me thine heart," and yet we would not. 

He has said in His word "My Spirit shall 






VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 277 

not always strive with man" and when the 
Spirit has warned us sufficiently of the time 
when God in His mercy will cut us off and 
appoint us a place with the unbelievers if we 
do not repent of our sins, He will say "De- 
part from me into everlasting fire, prepared 
for the devil and his angels.''' 

We may have said "At a more convenient 
season I will call for thee — when I have set- 
tled all my earthly interests I will seek the 
salvation of my soul ;" but when this sentence 
is given, it is too late to come into the fold 
of God. 

I trust that not one who reads this simple 
little volume will ever hear the word "De- 
part," but may all hear that blessed invita- 
tion, "Come ye blessed of my father, inherit 
the kingdom prepared for you from the foun- 
dation of the world." 

Repent, believe and be saved is what the 
gospel demands and is the prayer of the au- 
thor of this book. 

Let us improve every moment of our time ; 
let us love one another and our neighbor as 
ourselves. It is not hard to love our friends, 



278 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

but sometimes it is so hard to love our ene- 
mies. They ofttimes lay upon us burdens 
grievous to be borne, and to love them we 
must be much in prayer and let the love of 
God rule in our hearts. May the Lord help 
us to pray without ceasing and exercise faith 
in his promises unto us. 

Jesus preached repentance, 

Likewise the disciples, too; 
Repent, repent the Saviour said, 

And is this not enough for you? 

Repent, believe, become as a child 

Or you can not enter heaven; 
For straight and narrow is the way, 

That leads from earth to heaven. 



n 



CHAPTER LI. 

Jesus and the Net of Fishes. 

ET us learn some lessons about the 
miraculous draught of fishes. 

When Christ stood by the lake of 
Gennesaret, the people pressed upon Him to 
hear the word of God, and He entered into 
a ship and taught them. 

He bade Simon launch out into the deep 
and let down his nets for a draught. Let us 
notice Simon's reply. He said, "Master, we 
have toiled all night, and have taken nothing; 
nevertheless at thy word I will let down the 
net;" and the result was a great multitude 
of fishes. 

The disciples had toiled all night and were 
discouraged and had it not been for Jesus to 
lead them, they would doubtless have gone 
to their homes in despair. 

So I would say to all discouraged disciples, 
launch out into the deep; make large calcula- 



280 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

tions to do great things for God and if your 
first prayer and first efforts fail, try again 
and pray again and even the third time, if 
you fail to get the ear of the King. Don't be 
discouraged, but pray all night, if need be, 
and like Simon did try all night. If you fail 
in your closet go into some other secret place 
and He that seeth in secret will reward you 
openly. 

What did Simon Peter do when he discov- 
ered the great draught of fishes? He fell 
down at Jesus' knees and cried, "Depart from 
me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord." 

Let us notice what Jesus said to Peter, as 
he lay crouched down at his feet. He said, 
"Simon, fear not, from henceforth thou shalt 
catch men." 

What a blessed promise to Peter for his 
faith in Christ and what an inspiration to 
Peter to attempt greater things at the com- 
mand of the Master. He was to touch men's 
hearts and lead them to Christ for salvation. 

We notice further on how this blessed 
promise made to Peter was verified, for under 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 281 

the preaching of Peter, in one day, about three 
thousand souls were added to the church. 

We are told that when they came to shore 
they forsook all and followed the Christ; and 
when we are saved by grace, we will forsake 
all and follow Christ. 

Christ's promise to Peter was again ful- 
filled in the case of the healing of the palsy. 
When Peter healed this man of his disease, 
he did not make it appear that it was by his 
own power that he was enabled to arise and 
make his bed, but he said, "Jesus Christ 
maketh thee whole." 

You remember when Peter entered into 
Csesarea, Cornelius met him and fell down 
at his feet and worshiped him. But Peter 
took him up saying, "Stand up; I myself also 
am a man/' 

Peter not only healed the sick but he raised 
the dead to life, bringing joy to many hearts. 

There will be joy in heaven, 

Around the exalted throne; 
And in that home, no loved one there, 

Would from God's presence roam. 



CHAPTER LII. 

The Ten Virgins. 

^^^^HIS parable is one of the many used 
fl J by our Saviour to unfold the king- 

^^^^ dom of heaven. It has some strik- 
ing features and beautiful figures set forth 
in the lesson. 

"Then shall the kingdom of heaven be lik- 
ened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps 
and went forth to meet the bridegroom/' 

Five of these were called wise and five 
were called foolish. The foolish virgins took 
their lamps, but took no oil with them; but 
the wise virgins were more thoughtful and 
took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 

It seems that the five foolish virgins were 
very much like the disciples were on a differ- 
ent occasion when Jesus wanted them to 
watch with Him for one hour — they all slum- 
bered and slept while the bridegroom tarried. 

But after a while there was a cry made, 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 283 

"Behold, the bridegroom cometh ; go ye out to 
meet him." And at the last moment, the fool- 
ish virgins found they had no oil in their 
lamps and the night dark, but in the face of 
all this the bridegroom was coming. What 
could they do? They thought of borrowing 
from the five wise virgins ; but then it was not 
a time to borrow, and they were told to go 
and buy for themselves. 

We are told that while they went to buy 
the bridegroom came and they that were 
ready went in with him to the marriage and 
the door was shut. 

Just so with you and I, if we slumber and 
sleep away the golden moments of oppor- 
tunity in giving our hearts to God, until dis- 
ease and death shall come, we will be like 
the foolish virgins, we can't borrow the oil 
of grace and we will be too late to meet the 
bridegroom — too late to be an honored guest 
of the King and too late for the open door. 

There is not a true mother in this world 
but what would make any kind of a sacrifice 
for her dear boy or girl, but Jesus Christ is 
the only sacrifice for sin that God will accept 



284 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

— the only door of salvation — the Mediator 
betwixt God and man and the only name 
under heaven given among men whereby we 
must be saved. 

May we not procrastinate until the last ser- 
mon is preached, the last argument of the 
spirit has failed and the last door is shut. 

What an awful thing it is to lose the last 
chance of heaven and to be consigned, with- 
out any revocation, to a burning hell. Let us 
be ready, as were the wise virgins, that we 
may meet the bridegroom when he cometh to 
give honor and glory unto the King. 

How often do we stop to consider God's 
promises to His children? Listen: "It doth 
not yet appear what we shall be ; but we know 
that, when He shall appear, we shall be like 
Him ; for we shall see Him as He is." Blessed 
thought! We shall see Jesus face to face — 
see Him as He is — not as He was, suffering 
and dying, but crowned with glory and honor 
at the right hand of the Father on high. 

It seems to me this one promise is enough 
to encourage very man, woman, boy and girl 
to give their hearts to God — to walk close to 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 285 

His side, to be led by His spirit and to one 
day be pure as He is pure. 

Do you remember that Jesus fasted forty 
days and forty nights, that He might set us 
an example of suffering and sacrifice and be 
touched with the feeling of our infirmities ? 

God's greatest gift to us is Jesus Christ, 
and we should not let our affections center 
on any other being nor our hopes on any other 
power but His. 

May His spirit fill our souls to overflowing, 
and His peace reign supreme in our hearts. 

Abide with us, though shadows gather, 
Thy hand, in love, can stay the cloud. 

When o'er our souls the mist doth gather, 
Our hearts, to thee, would cry aloud. 



CHAPTER LIII. 
The Keeping of God's Commandments. 

OAVID said: 
"The law of the Lord is perfect, 
converting the soul." 

"Thou through thy commandments hast 
made me wiser than mine enemies; for they 
are ever with me." 

"All thy commandments are faithful." 

"I love thy commandments above gold, yea, 
above fine gold." 

"Trouble and anguish have taken hold on 
me; yet thy commandments are my delights." 

So we see how much importance is given 
the commandments in the Psalms of David. 

Christ said to His disciples, "If ye love me, 
keep my commandments." 

The question arises, how are we to keep 
God's commandments? Are we to undertake 
to keep them in our own name and in our 
own strength? 



VISIONS OF THE KIXGDOM. 287 

YVe can not keep the commandments except 
by God's Holy Spirit that dwells in our hearts ; 
His Spirit bearing witness with our spirits 
that we are His children. Not by might, nor 
by power, but "By my Spirit/' saith the Lord. 

If we believe in God, His Spirit abideth in 
us and we will keep His commandments. 

How precious are all the promises of Christ ; 
but listen to this one: If we love Him and 
keep His commandments He will pray to the 
Father and He shall give us another Com- 
forter, that he may abide with us forever. 

He has prepared the way for us here and 
has gone to prepare a place for us in the 
Father's house on high, and has promised to 
come again and receive us unto Himself. 

Is it not encouraging for us to press on- 
ward and upward that we may gain admit- 
tance into that mansion prepared for us? Its 
length nor breadth is not to be told and there 
is room for all who w T ill come. We have an 
invitation to this mansion, why not accept it? 

Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the 
life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by 
me." Why should w r e not come to our Heav- 



288 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

enly Father now, as the prodigal son did to 
his earthly father and confess our sins ? Our 
Father stands with open arms to receive us. 
Our Heavenly Father will not kill the fatted 
calf, nor put shoes on our feet, nor a ring on 
our hand, as this earthly father did, but He 
will put upon us the robe of righteousness 
and instead of weeping, there will be rejoic- 
ing. Yes, there will be joy in heaven over 
one sinner that repenteth. 

I say when we have believed on the blessed 
Son of God, we have the Spirit of God in our 
souls, and we will want to keep God's com- 
mandments. 

When Jesus was talking with His disciples, 
personally, He told them many things, warn- 
ing them of His departure and entreating 
them to be faithful in all things. "These 
things have I spoken unto you, being yet 
present with you. But the Comforter, which 
is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send 
in my name, He shall teach you all things, 
and bring all things to your remembrance, 
whatsoever I have said unto you." 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 289 

Let us accept Christ as our Saviour and 
keep His commandments and we will be made 
to rejoice and angels will rejoice with us. 
Not only will the angels rejoice, but that 
mother, though she may be bent with the 
weight of many years; and that father, who, 
perhaps, has overreached his three score years 
and ten and is slowly going down the steeps 
of time, who have wafted our names on wings 
of prayer night and morning, they too will 
rejoice and their steps will be no longer feeble, 
but light on account of our sins being remitted. 

It is not the amount of words we utter 
when we ask the forgiveness of our sins, but 
we can say as one of old, "God be merciful 
to me a sinner," and if this is said in faith, 
believing that Jesus is able and willing to 
forgive our sins, we will be like the publican ; 
go down to our house justified in the sight of 
the Lord and our sins will be blotted out of 
remembrance and we will go on our way re- 
joicing and praising God and keeping His 
commandments. Love God and keep His 



2Q0 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

commandments and we shall receive innumer- 
able blessings. 

Let us keep God's commandments 

As we journey here below. 
Let us put our trust in Jesus, 

And of His love we'll know. 



fi 



CHAPTER LIV. 

Faith Defined. 

IRST : Faith is defined as synony- 
mous to doctrine. "Earnestly con- 
tend for the faith which was once 
delivered unto the saints." 

Second: Faith is defined as synonymous 
to regeneration. "Add to your faith virtue, 
knowledge/' etc. 

Third : Faith is defined as an element of 
the Christian's armor. "Above all, taking the 
shield of faith." 

So we see faith has a very broad meaning, 
which shows its importance. 

"The just shall live by faith," and "with- 
out faith it is impossible to please God." 

"Faith is the substance of things hoped for, 
the evidence of things not seen." 

"He that cometh to God must believe that 
He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that 
diligently seek Him." 



2Q2 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

These passages of scripture and many more 
like them, indicate that faith and belief are 
the same. 

Let us notice the history of Noah in con- 
nection with that of faith : When God warned 
Noah of the coming flood, if he had not 
feared God and had not believed in Him, 
what would have been his fate and the fate 
of his family? 

It is not for me to say what would have 
been the fate of Noah had he not heeded 
God's warnings; but we learn from God's 
word that he lost no time, notwithstanding, 
so far as Noah could see, there was no per- 
ceptible danger. But that loving Father, who 
walks before us, who chooses our changes 
for us, maps out the way for us and takes 
upon his own shoulders our burdens and 
bears them for us, knew the future. 

Poor Noah, like you and I, could not see 
far into the future ; but the same hand that 
guided Noah is guiding us to-day amid all 
the changes, both seen and unseen to us, of a 
checkered and an uncertain life. 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 293 

He comes in His own wise way and warns 
us of danger. When he says, "Son or daugh- 
ter, give me thine heart/' lose no time, for life 
is uncertain and death is sure and beyond 
this vale of tears there is no place of repent- 
ance or hope of salvation of the immortal 
soul. While life prolongs its precious light, 
we should come, unreservedly, and cast our- 
selves down at the Master's feet and say, 
"Here's my heart, Oh take and seal it, seal it 
for Thy courts above." Then we, like Noah, 
will be saved from the waters of destruction 
and housed in God's ark. 

Did you ever picture in your mind this 
little family, after the ark had been built and 
God told Noah what to take into the ark and 
he had obeyed and placed everything in the 
ark according to God's directions, as they 
waited on God for the wonderful event that 
was soon to take place? 

After awhile the rain came down in tor- 
rents and the ark began to rise with the surg- 
ing waves — higher and higher it rose until 
the last spot of land had disappeared and 
only one vast expanse of water was in sight. 



2Q4 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

I have sometimes tried to picture in my 
mind the scenes that were taking place on the 
inside. I believe they were continually prais- 
ing God for their deliverance, and the power 
and protection that He had given them from 
the raging storm, when the waters had covered 
the whole earth and no voice could be heard 
save Noah and his family. I believe this 
little band of eight souls were thanking God 
for His goodness and mercy to them in sav- 
ing their lives from the watery grave. 

Does not this little family give us a fore- 
taste or insight to reunited families in heaven ? 

When the last battle has been fought and 
when time shall be no more — when Jesus bids 
us come and we sit down at the right hand of 
God and look around, as I believe Noah did, 
to see if all are on board and we behold the 
dear boys and girls we loved and prayed for 
here in this sinful world sitting also at the 
right hand of God the Father, O what joy 
will then be ours. The joy of Noah and his 
little family is not to be compared to the re- 
united families in heaven. 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 295 

We understand Xoah and his whole family 
were saved from death and a watery grave 
by the unfailing faith he had in the promises 
of God; and if we are saved from our sins, 
as sure as we live, it will be by an unfaltering 
faith in the blessed Son of God — saved be- 
cause we look to Christ, who is the author 
and finisher of our faith. 

The solemn question should be asked in 
our hearts, day by day, have I been washed 
in the blood of the Lamb and have I on the 
robe of righteousness, or am I drifting each 
day further and further from the only anchor 
that will save my soul in the coming day of 
assignment for all the world? 

Some may be giving, no doubt, their best 
days and best service to Satan, who seeks 
every day, every hour and every moment to 
allure us from the straight and narrow way 
— to lead us into the kind of temptation that 
will destroy our peace of mind and finally land 
our souls in an everlasting hell, prepared for 
only the devil and his angels. 

Should we not put our trust in God and 



2Q6 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

say, "I can but perish if I stay, I am resolved 
to try ; for if I stay away, I shall forever die/' 

And again can we not say as the prodigal 
did, "I will arise and go to my Father/' Go 
to Him and unbosom all to Him and what- 
soever He bids us do, do it cheerfully. Walk 
no longer in forbidden paths, for the word 
tells us that the wages of sin is death. 

Let us not despise "the chastening of the 
Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of 
Him; for whom the Lord loveth He chasten- 
eth, and scourgeth every son whom He re- 
ceiveth." Lift up the hands that hang down 
and the feeble knees and make straight paths 
for our feet. Follow peace with all men and 
holiness, without which no man shall see the 
Lord. 

Let us serve God with reverence and a 
godly fear, for our God is a consuming fire; 
and when we have served Him aright, we can 
say, "The Lord is my helper, and I will not 
fear what man shall do unto me." 

Here in this low ground of sorrow where 
persecutions, malice and strife are on the 



FISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 297 

right hand and on the left, we have no con- 
tinuing city ; but let us seek one to come. Let 
us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continu- 
ally, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks 
to His name. 

Faith is the stepping stone, 
That leads to saving grace. 



CHAPTER LV. 
Death Bed Repentance. 

DOW and then we hear people say, 
"I do not believe in death bed re- 
pentance/' and so I say it is a late 
hour to settle such an important question. 
"Procrastination is the thief of time" and has 
sent millions of souls into eternity unprepared 
to meet the day of assignment. 

This thought brings to my mind a time, 
several years ago, when a friend and neigh- 
bor came to my door and asked permission 
to use my telephone, saying that his wife and 
child were sick. After I had assured him 
that he was welcome to the use of the phone, 
he came in and grasped the receiver and in a 
moment called for the number wanted. He 
tried again and again, and at last succeeded 
in reaching the doctor he so much desired. 
When he had finished the conversation over 
the phone and had hung up the receiver, he 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 299 

turned to me, with a radiant smile on his face, 
his eyes beaming with joy and said, "That 
pleases me." And with these words, he hur- 
ried away. 

I knew in a moment that the doctor had 
assured him of the fact that he would come, 
and that the confidence he had in the doctor 
summoned made him believe that those he 
loved would soon be made well again; that 
the sweet songs would soon ring out from 
the lips of that faithful wife, and the merry 
prattle of his dear child would soon be heard 
in the home — then joy and gladness would fill 
all hearts again. 

So I say to you, as did my friend and 
neighbor to me, "That pleases me," to hear 
the shouts of heaven-born souls, even at this 
hour; though truthfully we can say they have 
wasted many golden opportunities of doing 
good — opportunities that will never return 
again; and that he or she has been deprived 
of many rich blessings and what is more there 
is no time left to serve Him who has done 
so much for them — still, they can praise Him 
throughout eternity. Is it not enough even 



300 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

now to strive to enter in at the straight and 
narrow way that leadeth unto life? 

I call to mind an incident that happened many 
years ago, in the State of Alabama, which I re- 
late, hoping to encourage those who have lived 
to a ripe old age and have not given their 
hearts to God. Don't give up the fight, trust 
and obey, though your form may be bent with 
the weight of many years and hoary be your 
hair and feeble your step, hope and trust 
in the promises of God and all will be well in 
the end. 

The incident: There was a man living on 
Sand Mountain, near a relative of mine, who 
was a very religious man and he was deeply 
concerned about the salvation of his wife— 
so often praying that she might be brought to 
Christ. She was taken suddenly ill and he 
became alarmed about her. He saw that life 
was only a matter of a few hours, so he fell 
down on his knees and prayed earnestly that 
she might, even in this trying hour, trust in 
God and be saved. He spoke to her about 
her soul's welfare as long as she could speak ; 
but there came an hour when she could not 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 301 

speak, and for a moment this husband seemed 
to lose all hope. But he remembered God's 
power to save, and he felt he could not see 
his dear wife go into eternity without some 
testimony left behind that Christ had par- 
doned her sins. He again fell down on his 
knees and prayed, if possible more fervently 
than before that she might believe and trust 
in God, even in the very jaws of death; and 
though she could not speak, he asked God 
that she might show him some token, if only 
a smile on her dying face, that she had given 
her heart to God in this sad hour. I would 
have you know that his efforts and faith in 
God were not in vain, for as the shadow of 
death came over her pale face and as the 
faithful husband bent low to catch the faint- 
est whisper, she looked up with a radiant 
smile on her face in recognition of his plead- 
ings with God, and though not a word was 
spoken, she passed into eternity, no doubt a 
sinner saved by grace. 

Is not this a beautiful lesson for those who 
have been born of God's spirit to be faithful, 
even unto death? The command is, "Be thou 



302 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

faithful unto death, and I will give thee a 
crown of life." 

But dear sinner friend, don't misunder- 
stand me — do not wait until this late hour to 
give your heart to God, but what I do mean 
is, don't give up the fight, but hold on to every 
chance that God in His mercy gives you, that 
you may find eternal life. 

We often live beneath our privileges and 
rob ourselves of many of the blessings of life 
because we do not live near our blessed Sav- 
iour's feet. How often would the dark clouds 
be swept from our sky and the beautiful sun- 
shine of His countenance light our pathway, 
if we would only dwell under the shadow of 
His protecting wings. 

If we are followers of Jesus we are on the 
winning side, because He holds the scepter 
of power and victory. He can not know de- 
feat and nothing can hinder Him on His mis- 
sion of love and power. 

Oh may the happy hour dawn 
On those who wait, and wait so long, 
To give their hearts to God, in love, 
Who reigns in earth and heaven above. 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 303 

When hoary hairs shall mark our age, 
If then in sin, our time engage, 
And feeble steps shall mark our way, 
Lord, fit us for that awful day. 

The day in which our sun shall set, 
And find our lives without regret. 
Oh may we pass, without a sigh, 
To find a home in the cloudless sky. 

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock;" 
Will you not now your heart's door unlock, 
And bid the King of glory come in, 
That you may find release from sin? 



CHAPTER LVI. 
Meditation. 

Ofttimes I sit and read 
From God's own word, just what I need. 
It fills my soul with joy, not strife, 
And fits me for the walks of life. 

I find in it the story told, 
Of healing balm for every soul; 
I find in it the truth, the way, 
That leads to life and eternal day. 

I find in it some truths, so sweet, 
And how he did His work complete; 
How He warned the sinners then, 
That He might save the souls of men. 

How He saved the lives of eight, 
And left all others to their fate. 
How He sent the turtle dove, 
And the leaf she brought told of love. 

How He raised the dead to life, 
And preached of joy, not of strife. 
How He turned the water to wine, 
And proved His mission to be divine. 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 305 

How He blessed the children's days, 
And proved His love, in a thousand ways. 
How He gave His own dear life, 
To save a world of sin and strife. 

How He stayed the hand of Abraham, 
And He Himself prepared a lamb; 
He rescued Isaac from an awful death, 
And gave him still, his vital breath. 

How He spoke to lawyers bold, 
And learned them lessons, that ne'er were told. 
Lord, teach us to pray, we humbly ask, 
That we may in Thy presence bask. 

Oh how I love the story of old, 
Yet it almost makes my blood run cold, 
To think of the road the Saviour trod 
While He, on earth, revealed our God. 

How they platted the crown of thorns, 

And how his person they did adorn; 

They parted His raiment, for His vesture cast 

lots, 
Those people were cruel, for Him they cared 

not. 

A message came from Elijah of old, 
Which revealed a love that ne'er was told; 
In tones of mercy we hear him say, 
What shall I do before I'm taken away. 



3o6 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

We hear Elisha echoing, may it be — 
Let thy spirit rest upon me. 
Oh Father of heaven, Father of earth, 
Give every sinner a happy, new birth. 

How Elijah was caught up to glory, 
And left behind his blessed story — 
How the waters were soon divided, 
And those who crossed were safely guided. 

How God's man and woman too, 
Left the path of the good and true, 
And of the fruit they both did eat, 
Which opened their eyes and made them re- 
treat. 

Are not we in God's garden too, 
And called to dress it, through and through? 
See Adam and Eve, as the serpent beguiled, 
And the fate of a disobedient child. 

Were I to tell you all I've read, 

About this loving Saviour, of which I have said 

Was balm to the soul, a light on our way, 

It would take me, dear reader, many a long day. 



CHAPTER LVIL 
In Memoriam. 

At the home of my childhood, 

At the dawn of a new day, 
An angel came into father's room 

And bore his spirit away, 
Up to the home of the Redeemed, 

Up to that mansion bright, 
Where angels sing around the throne 

And where Jesus is the light. 
In the family lot we laid him 

'Neath the stately oaks and flowers, 
And with sad hearts we turned away 

To seek relief through God's own power. 

On beautiful Myrtle Hill, 

Where the flowers are in bloom, 
Lies peacefully my dear Florence, 

Asleep within the tomb. 
To me she was dearer 

Than tongue or pen can tell; 
But still I know that God is just 

And He doeth all things well. 
To-day she stands with beckoning hands 

Inside the Pearly Gate, 
And softly whispers, "Mother, Come," 

Yet I linger here and wait. 



308 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

While the snow and sleet were falling fast 

And the wind in the forest howled, 
My brother dear was called by death 

And our pleadings disallowed. 
Our home is sad and lonely, 

One sweet voice we hear no more; 
His useful life quickly ended, 

He has just gone on before. 
But I'll meet you one day, brother, 

I'll meet you by and by; 
A happy reunion awaits us 

In that home beyond the sky. 

In the far-off west with loved ones — 

A husband and children four, 
My sister Martha fell asleep 

To wake on the Evergreen Shore. 
She was a devoted sister, 

Her life was noble and pure, 
And on the other side she stands 

To welcome me home, I'm sure. 
Her useful life with longings ended — 

All weary struggles past; 
And her care worn frail body resting 

'Neath the sweet spring flowers at last. 

On bended knees, in her own home, 

My dear niece, Sarah Pierce, 
Gave up life's battle once for all 

And returned to mother earth. 



VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 309 

The early closing of her life 

Was like a beautiful earthly flower 
That buds and blossoms in our yard 

And makes a lovely bower. 
In comforting fancy I see her 

On the shores of eternal rest, 
Where the faithful are rewarded 

On the Saviour's gracious breast. 

At his home my nephew, Willie Simmons, 

On a cold December night 
Yielded to death and crossed over 

While Jesus gave him light. 
I miss his sunny presence, 

I miss his winning ways, 
I miss the songs he used to sing 

To cheer me on my way. 
But faith and hope I mingle 

With the thought that some future day 
I'll meet again this loved one 

And my tears will be wiped away. 

Near the homestead my niece, Sallie Davis. 

At the close of a summer day, 
Answered death's call so willingly, 

So peacefully she passed away. 
Her future was full of promise, 

Always light-hearted and gay, 
Day after day she walked 

In the straight and narrow way. 



310 VISIONS OF THE KINGDOM. 

She prayed that God might take her 
Instead of one she loved best, 

That he might safely anchor 
His soul in the "Haven of Rest." 

THE END. 



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